Indian Football League

Match 27: SCEB vs. KBFC

Preview

Neither of the team has started well in the league and thus three crucial points are at stake. Both the clubs have a very big fan base and thus they have a lot of pressure to do well in the league. As neither team is playing attractive football, both teams have a chance to win the match. East Bengal after losing 4-3 in their last match against Goa will be slightly confident that they can score goals but their defense will feel exactly the opposite. Kerala in their last match registered their first win of the season beating Odisha 2-1.

According to a few reports, East Bengal is very likely to make some changes in the January transfer window. They can bring their former talisman Bright Enobakhare to lead their front line. However, January is far away. They need goals immediately as three points are very crucial for the club as the red and gold are sitting at the bottom of the table with just two points. Antonio Perosevic can change the situation and the torch bearers will hope for the same. Arindam Bhattacharya, their captain is still not fit and so is Jackiechand Singh. These are two of the important players and not having them on the pitch is hurting the team.

When asked about their opponent, East Bengal coach Manuel Dias in the pre match press conference said, “Kerala Blasters FC are a compact team, they have warriors, it is difficult to beat them. They play good football during the 90 minutes and it will be a complicated match”. He also clarified that his only aim is to win games for the club and he will be giving it all. “We have played only five matches and the reality is that we have conceded many goals. In some matches, we have chances of winning. And our only aim is now to bag three points (from the upcoming game)”. Sending a message to the fans, the coach said, “We understand the situation and the feelings, we are thirsty. We know that the club is in a difficult situation. But we want to keep improving our level”.

Kerala are in a slightly better position. After winning their last game against Odisha, who are currently second in the league, Kerala will be coming with a lot of confidence.  The only thing that will bother them is that their first choice goalkeeper Albino Gomes is out for an indefinite period of time. Same like their opponent East Bengal. There’s another similarity that neither of the clubs has done anything good in the last season. Things need to change. Adrian Luna, will be at the heart of Kerala’s attack that will have the job to end things but Kerala’s midfield needs to improve first. Coach Ivan Vukomanovic however is very cautious before facing the red and gold brigade. In the pre match press conference he said –

“All the games were different; you don’t know how the game started and where it ended. We always want to start and be focused and concentrated. There are different offensive and defensive styles we’ve been practicing and from opponent to opponent we change those styles. Talking about East Bengal, they’re a good team and I think their position in the table may not be well-deserved, but this is football. We are playing against a good team and so far, it will be the most difficult game for us”.

Speaking about the talisman Adrian Luna, the coach said, “It goes back to our period when we were searching for foreign players who can bring something extra to this team of Kerala and Luna was one of the available options which caught our attention. We’re glad to have him not only as a football player but also as a person who fits well in a group. He’s humble, polite and likes to play with the other guys. He likes to be on the pitch, and I think that by giving him support and getting his support, everybody in the team can improve. So far, he’s brought that extra touch to this team”.

SCEB vs. KBFC Predicted Line Ups

SCEB – Shankar Roy (GK), Tomislav Mrcela (c), Raju Gaikwad, Hira Mondal, Sourav Das, Franjo Prce, Lanrinliana Hnamte, Amarjit Kiyam, Antonio Perosevic, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Daniel Chukwu

KBFC – Prabhsukhan Gill (GK), Enes Sipovic, Sandeep Singh, Jessal Alaan Carneiro (c), Mark Leskovic, Puieta, Sahal Abdul Samad, Adrian Luna, Prashant K, Jeakson Singh, Alvaro Vazquez

Match Prediction

Kerala should get the win but expect East Bengal to give a very tough fight. The match will be very close and a draw is never off the table. Perosevic will be key for East Bengal’s success.

Suggested Playing XI Real11 Fantasy Football