Kolkata: One of the only three sides in the Indian Super League to yet win a match, Kerala Blasters will hope to become a third time lucky, when they take on Mumbai City in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. The ‘Yellow Army’ depite possessing a goal machine in both Iain Hume and Dimitar Berbatov are yet to find the net this campaign and coach Rene Meulensteen will hope to amend things before his side get on with their first away match to FC Goa.
“The first thing is to not let the issue get bigger than it is. We are still in the process of developing as a side. We were better in the second game than the first and we are keeping clean sheets. We kept the ball better, there was penetration and cutting edge and we created chances, but we know the most important goal to score in any season is the first one. It will bring confidence to the team and create a different sort of flow. We keep focussing that the players understand what we need to do next. To win a match, we need to score goals,” said Meulensteen before adding that even the fans must be wondering who will score the first goal for Kerala.
The former Manchester Untied coach had earlier predicted that Wes Brown will be fitted into a three-men defence when he returns, but given the good from of both Sandesh Jhingan and Nemanja Lakic-Pesic, Brown will be gradually eased into the game rather than starting the match added Rene.
The form of forwards Hume and Berbatov however has been a major concern for the former Sir Alex Ferguson assistant, he however refused see it as a major issue and added that it is only a matter of time before the Bulgarian legend hits the ground.
Mumbai City on the other hand come on the back of a 1-2 defeat in the Maharashtra derby against Pune depite being better on the day. On Sunday however they not just face the prospect of playing the two-time ISL finalist but also an intriguing Kochi atmosphere that vibrates everytime a home player touches the ball.
Coach Alexandre Guimarães is however aware of the threat of the Kochi fans, a 12th man of the home team and wants his boys to overcome the challenge before the next two matches at home.
“We have to handle this and our aim now is to recover from the tough game against Pune. The players will give everything they have to fight for the three points and then have time in Mumbai where we play two games at home,” said the Mumbai coach.