A lot has happened at Kerala Blasters during the winter break. The team’s two big names, C.K. Vineeth and Halicharan Narzary, have been offered on loan to Chennaiyin FC and at one stage, there was even talk that Sandesh Jhingan would be would be playing elsewhere.
Clearly the Kochi-based team, which now has Portugal’s Nelo Vingada as its head coach replacing Englishman David James, does not inspire much confidence as it takes on Kolkata’s ATK, the only side it has beaten this season, in the Indian Super League at the Nehru Stadium here on Friday evening.
But Vingada made it clear that though he has been with the team for just about three days, he was sure that the boys were capable of playing much better than their current eighth spot in the league table.
And with just six games to go, he wants his boys to give their very best and win back the fans who have kept away from the last two home games.
“I’ve told them, ‘tomorrow is the game of our lives’,” said the 65-year-old. “It’s not just enough to play well, we have to be real great fighters to show everybody that we are playing much above our capacity.”
Vingada said he would not have let go of Vineeth and Narzary had he come earlier.
“The decision to loan Vineeth and Narzary was made before I arrived. Vineeth may not be very young but he is an important player because he can smell the goals.”
Jhingan is still with the Blasters and the Kochi side has traded goalkeepers with FC Goa, offering Naveen Kumar on loan for Lalthuammawia Ralte. The team has also signed Assam’s young Baoringdao Bodo but missing will be midfielder Zakeer Mundampara who has been banned by the AIFF for six months for violent conduct against a referee in an earlier game.
Meanwhile, the ATK has strengthened its side by roping in Spaniard Edu Garcia and India star Pritam Kotal in the winter transfer window.
And its head coach Steve Coppell, who had guided Blasters to a memorable performance a few years ago, hoped they would boost his side.
“Our problem has been scoring goals and converting chances. We thought Edu would complement our attack going forward in creation and conversion of chances. It would give us more power up front,” said the Englishman.
