ISL 2021 LIVE – Kerala Blasters LIVE: The team from Kerala finished 10th in ISL 2020. Can they make a turnaround this year? Can the new Serbian coach Vukomanovic change their fortunes? KBFC has not made to the Semifinals since 2016, can they break the jinx this time? The first test comes on Friday as KBFC takes on ATK Mohun Bagan in opening encounter of ISL 2021-22 – Follow all ISL 2021 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.in
ISL 2021 LIVE KBFC: With new Coach & a new captain, can Kerala Blasters make a turnaround this ISL Season? Follow all LIVE Updates on KBFC
ISL 2021 LIVE – Kerala Blasters LIVE: The hope for a stronger season is driven by the appointment of Serbian coach Ivan Vukomanovic who has rebuilt the entire squad. The 44-year-old is the eleventh different manager to take charge of the Blasters since 2014 and the eighth one who has been appointed in a full-time capacity.
Vukomanovic has vast experience of coaching in the premier divisions of Belgium, Slovakia, and Cyprus and will look to bring all that to play to elevate the Blasters this season and meet the demands of one of the fanbase that has backed the club through thick and thin.
Kerala Blasters – New Team, New Coach: Players To Watch Out For
Defence the Focus Area: The Blasters have looked to strengthen their defence with three key defensive signings: Ruivah Hormipan from RoundGlass Punjab, Enes Sipovic from Chennaiyin FC, and Marko Leskovic from Dinamo Zagreb. Replacing Lalruatthara at left-back is Sanjeev Stalin, who is touted as one of the most talented players in India.
Forward line adds 2 new foreigners: Vukomanovic’s side have added two foreign forwards in Alvaro Vazquez and Jorge Diaz from Sporting de Gijon and Atletico Platense, respectively. They have also roped in experienced Adrian Luna and Harmanjot Khabra to revamp their midfield.
Strengths: With the experience of Vukomanovic, the Blasters will be looking to build a team that can’t be beaten easily. The new signings in defence and attack have provided a good balance to the Blasters’ squad. Stalin’s pace and agility, combined with Vazquez and Diaz’s attacking abilities, will give much needed impetus to their attack.
Weaknesses: The Blasters managed to keep only three clean sheets in a total of 20 games in the 2020-21 season and it’s an area where Vukomanovic will want to see improvement. Their away form also needs addressing as the Blasters won only one out of ten away games last season.
Kerala Blasters History in ISL –
Best Finish:
Runners-up (2014, 2016)
| Friday, 19th November, 2021 | ATK Mohun Bagan | Kerala Blasters FC |
| Thursday, 25th November, 2021 | Northeast United FC | Kerala Blasters FC |
| Sunday, 28th November, 2021 | Bengaluru FC | Kerala Blasters FC |
| Sunday, 5th December | Kerala Blasters FC | Odisha FC |
| Sunday, 12th December, 2021 | SC East Bengal | Kerala Blasters FC |
| Sunday, 19th December, 2021 | Mumbai City FC | Kerala Blasters FC |
| Wednesday, 22nd December, 2021 | Chennaiyin FC | Kerala Blasters FC |
| Sunday, 26th December, 2021 | Kerala Blasters FC | Jamshedpur FC |
| Sunday, 02nd January, 2021 | Kerala Blasters FC | FC Goa |
| Sunday, 09th January, 2021 | Kerala Blasters FC | Hyderabad FC |
All matches will be played at 7:30pm IST.
Kerala Blasters Full Squad:
Goalkeepers: Albino Gomes, Prabhsukhan Singh Gill, Muheet Shabir, Sachin Suresh
ISL 2021-22: Anirudh Thapa named Chennaiyin FC captain ahead of Indian Super League
Defenders: Sandeep Singh, Nishu Kumar, Abdul Hakku, Hormipam Ruivah, Bijoy V, Enes Sipovic, Marko Lešković, Denechandra Meitei, Sanjeev Stalin, Jessel Carneiro
Midfielders: Jeakson Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Ayush Adhikari, Givson Singh, Lalthathanga Khawlhring, Prashant K, Vincy Barretto, Sahal Abdul Samad, Seityasen Singh, Rahul K P, Adrian Luna
Strikers: Chencho Gyeltshen, Jorge Pereyra Diaz, Álvaro Vázquez
Follow all ISL 2021 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.in & LIVE Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
Editors pick
