Only a win against Mumbai can keep the Kerala Blasters active in the play-offs. If there is a draw, both teams will have to wait for the final round to see who will advance to the playoffs. In the final round, Mumbai will face Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters will face FC Goa.
In the absence of Khabra, Nishu Kumar is likely to return to the defensive line against Mumbai City. The Kerala Blasters’ probable XI will look into the life-and-death struggle against Mumbai.
Who else but Gill …?
Prabhu Sukhan Singh Gill, the number one on the journey to the Golden Glove Awards, is also a ghost in the Blasters’ net. Gill, who has played 15 games so far, has won six clean sheets. The length of time Gill concedes for each goal is 91 minutes. He has made 34 saves so far this season. Gill left the field with a clean sheet in the first quarter match against Mumbai. The Blasters won 3-0 that day. It was Gill’s first clean sheet of the season.
Also Read :Harmanjot Khabrak banned, can no longer play in the league stage; A huge setback for the Blasters
Nishu instead of Khabra
Harmanjot Khabra, Ruiva Hormipam, Marco Leskovic and Sanjeev Stalin were the four players who defended in the Blasters’ final match against Chennai FC. In the 72nd minute, Sanjeev was withdrawn and head coach Ivan Vukomanovic brought down Sandeep Singh. The crucial question is who will replace the banned Harmanjyot Khabra in the match against Mumbai City FC. It remains to be seen whether the injured Nishu Kumar will come out. Perhaps, Bijoy Varghese will be in the starting XI and Nishu Kumar will be the substitute. It is no surprise that the coach has lined up the Ennes Zipovic-Marco Leskovic center defensive alliance.
K.P. Rahul in the starting
Malayalee winger KP joins manager Ivan Vukomanovic at a pre-match virtual press conference against Mumbai City. It was Rahul. The player who will be in front of the media along with Vukomanovic is yet to be included in the starting XI for the next match. In that sense, Rahul, who was ruled out of the first game of the season with an injury, will be included in the Blasters’ starting XI after a break of 18 games.
In the inaugural match of the 2021-2022 season, Rahul was in the starting XI against ATK Mohan Bagan. Sahal Abdul Samad, Jackson Singh, Adrian Luna, KP Rahul and four others were in the middle row that day. It is possible that Vukomanovich will return to that equation. Injured Jackson Singh may be included in the list of replacements. Sahal Abdul Samad’s substitution against Chennai FC is also likely to be tried against Mumbai.
Progress is only one
It is clear that Alvaro Vasquez and Jorge Pereira Dias, the regular frontrunners of the Kerala Blasters, will play against Mumbai. The Blazers beat Chennai FC 3-0 in the final match thanks to a double from George Perera Dias. Vazquez and Diaz scored in the first leg against Mumbai City. Diaz is the Blasters’ top scorer this season with six goals and one assist. Vazquez is just behind with five goals and one assist. Yellow Jackets fans are also waiting for Sahal Abdul Samad to return to goal scoring.
Possibility Starting XI
Given Khabra’s suspension and the possibility of Rahul returning, the Kerala Blasters’ starting XI against Mumbai City FC could be as follows. Goalie: Prabhusukhan Singh Gill. Defense: Sandeep Singh / Nishu Kumar, Ruiva Hormipam, Marco Leskovich, Sanjeev Stalin. Middle: K.P. Rahul / Sahal Abdul Samad, Putia, AYUSH Officer / Jackson Singh, Adrian Luna. Forward: Alvaro Vazquez, Jorge Pereira Diaz.
Alvaro Vazquez has been booked for three yellow cards and is on the verge of suspension. Vazquez will miss the final match against FC Goa if he is shown a yellow card today. After each suspension, Putia and Diaz received a total of six yellow cards. The ISL rule is that cards in the league round will not be considered in the playoffs.