| Knockout War | Mangalam

Panaji: The crucial match in Indian Super League football today. The match between defending champions Mumbai City and Kerala Blasters will be played at the Tilak Maidan Stadium. Both teams are one point apart.

That, too, will add to the vigor and vigor of today’s match. The Blazers can only expect a playoff berth if they score at least four points in the remaining two games. The Blasters’ final game is Sunday’s FC Cup. It is against Goa. If they beat Mumbai today, they will be on the verge of a play-off. Mumbai’s target is to beat the Blazers by 34 points. They will not be able to wait for the final match against Odisha FC to win. The Blazers beat Mumbai 3-0 in the first match of the eighth season. There have been 15 matches between the Blasters and Mumbai so far. Mumbai, who have won six matches, have the upper hand.

The Blazers have six draws and three wins. Mumbai have topped the last five matches. For Mumbai to record three wins. The Blazers’ advantage is a win and a draw. The Blasters’ best performance against them was their 3-0 win over Mumbai on December 19. Blasters coach Ivan Vukumanovic’s strength is the shining form of Adrian Luna, Alvaro Vazquez and Jorge Pereira Dias. Abdul Sahad Samad, who shone in the first matches, later faded. Vukumanovich said he was trying to make up for the shortcomings of Mumbai’s defense. Igor Angulo is Mumbai’s spearhead. The Mumbai players have scored 34 goals this season. Hyderabad (41) and ATK. Mohan Bagan (36) is ahead. The Blazers are the first team to concede a few goals, though not the most. Blasters and Hyderabad conceded 19 goals each.

The top four finishers in the league advance to the semis. The fact is that Mumbai and Blasters (eight) are tied on goal difference. If the match ends in a draw, they will have to wait for the final round to find out who will advance to the semis. Mumbai’s 20th match is against Hyderabad on the fifth day. The fact that Hyderabad are in good form and Mumbai’s rivals are a small consolation to Blasters fans. The Blasters’ strength will be complete when Nishu Kumar returns from injury. Left wing back Sanjeev Stallone’s performance does not overshadow Nishu’s absence. Today’s match at Tilak Maidan is also the hope of the Blazers. He has won seven of the 12 matches played here. Tilak also won in the first quarter against Fatorda against Mumbai.