Once dwelling near the bottom of the Hero Indian Super League table, Kerala Blasters and FC Goa both find themselves in its upper reaches now. Their sudden revival demonstrates that, with a couple of notable exceptions, there is little to separate the teams: the gulf between Goa, in fourth, and the bottom team Northeast United is only two points.
It thus makes Wednesday’s meeting between Goa (12) and Blasters (third, 15) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here in Fatorda hugely significant.
The visitors’ surge up the table has been a product of its stout defence, the most frugal in the competition. The run of four successive clean sheets was snapped in last week’s (rather fortunate) win over Atletico de Kolkata, but David James’s men will have been thrilled with that result.
The young Brazilian Pedro Gusmao was hugely impressive that evening on the left wing, scoring one goal and setting up another. Goa will be wary of him, as it will be of Michael Chopra, who returned from injury to play the last 15 minutes.
“We don’t know how to play for a draw. With respect to Goa’s form at the moment, we’re planning to win the game,” said James, Blasters’ manager and goalkeeper.
Zico said he was delighted with his side’s 2-0 win over FC Pune City on Saturday, in the first of three straight home games. A good string of results is critical to Goa’s chances of making the semifinals, given that its two remaining fixtures are away to Chennaiyin FC and Atletico de Kolkata.
“Every game is a must-win. Blasters has been consistent from the beginning of the tournament. We know what we’re up against,” the FC Goa head coach said.
Robert Pires was left out of the match against Pune while the defender Younes Bengelloun was injured. Zico refused to reveal, however, if either would start.
In the reverse fixture, Blasters scrambled home 1-0, the goal scored by the Goan forward Milagres Gonsalves.
