A full season has gone by since Sunil Chhetri's infamous freekick goal triggered an unprecedented Kerala Blasters walkout. Adrian Luna, who was the unfortunate first line of defence that night in Sree Kanteerava, gets a reminder ahead of every Bengaluru match.
But on the eve of Bengaluru's visit to Kochi, the Blasters skipper appeared unfazed. "Everybody knows what happened in the past, but we move on," Luna said. The Spaniard, who recently returned to full fitness and completed his first 90 minutes in a 2-1 away win against Mohammedan SC, chose to draw attention to reality, which is the gap between them and league leaders Bengaluru.
"For us it is important to win. If we win, we will be just two points away from the first position. Our aim to be on the top," Luna said. Bengaluru, the only unbeaten side this season, sit on top of the points table with 13 points from five matches, while the Blasters are fifth with 8 points from five.
Gerard Zaragoza's Bengaluru have been outstanding so far in the Indian Super League, winning four, drawing one, scoring ten and conceding none. By comparison, the Blasters have won just twice, drawn two other games and lost once. While Mikael Stahre's men have managed to score in every game, they have also conceded on each occasion. "It is a hard home game for us," Stahre said. "We have to be smart, we have to attack fast and possess the ball... we have to play with intensity." The Swede said he was hopeful of breaking Bengaluru's masterful defence that hasn't been breached yet.
Stahre expects a 'completely different game' from the one in Kolkata, where the Blasters turned around the match after going behind in the first half. He has highlighted a peculiar aspect of his side that could prove decisive against Bengaluru -- resilience. He reminded how his side "bounced back" after going behind to NorthEast United and drew the match, and "did not let the game slip away" and were "closer to three points" against Odisha FC, where the match swung from 2-0 to 2-2 inside 45 minutes. "I'm optimistic," Stahre said. "We're a strong team," he added. The match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Kaloor in Kochi will kick off at 7.30 pm.
Key players
Noah Sadaoui
The Moroccan has been the standout performer for Kerala Blasters with three goals. He also assisted twice, including Kwame Peprah's winner last week in Kolkata. The winger, who likes to cut in from the left and link up with his midfielders, will be vital for the Blasters against Bengaluru's sturdy defence.
Jesus Jimenez
The Spaniard, who, like Noah, is a fresh recruit, has warmed up to the Blasters' supporters in no time. His aerial prowess and willingness to initiate the press in the final third has won him plaudits. The Blasters fans would be hoping he gets his fourth goal on Friday. Ghanaian striker Kwame Peprah's two goals off the bench have been vital, and he would be expected to deliver when summoned.
Sunil Chhetri
Bengaluru's disciplined defence has been the talking point so far this season. But it is skipper Chhetri who will hog the limelight for obvious reasons. The veteran striker is the enemy no. 1 for many Blasters fans for his controversial goal in the playoff game that tainted Ivan Vukomanovic's legacy. He is Benglauru's leading goal scorer with three, though all those came from the spot.
