Now let the Blasters celebrate the victory. We will show that we are the best team in the second quarter ‘- Jamshedpur coach Owen Koyal has warned that he will return after the first quarter match of the ISL football semifinals. Despite winning the game 1–0, Blasters coach Ivan Vukomanovic’s response was a reminder, “Only one game left, the fight is over.” Ivan, Owen, Indian football and Malayalee fans are eagerly awaiting the ‘final’ fight today at Tilak Maidan. The match will be televised live on Star Sports channels and Hotstar from 7.30pm tonight.
Lessons of the first quarter
The team needs only a draw to reach the final from Tilak Maidan, the Blasters’ lucky venue. Vukomanovich’s team will be relieved today. Jamshedpur are in a dilemma as they have to pay off a goal. Owen Coyle’s side today can not be as fast-paced as they were in the first quarter. Not only the margin of a goal but also the fighting spirit of the Blasters, who lined up their opponents without giving a damn, scares them.
A setback for Jamshedpur in the first quarter was the setback in the tactical battle. The Blasters came back victorious after defeating Vukomanovic Coel in a clash that has earned him a reputation as the horn of the Assassins. Owen’s plans to bring down the Blasters’ line-up with attacks that gave priority to the physical game were thwarted by Vukomonovic’s impeccable defense. Jamshedpur thwarted the advances in a counter-strategy that chained playmaker and goal scorer Greg Stuart. The Leskovic-Hormipam duo put up a strong fight with more than a dozen clearances and stunning tackles, but Owen’s attacking weapon, which returned more than forty times during the season, escaped without a hitch.
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The arrival of the oven today will sharpen the pace of progress. The English coach’s first mission will be to free Stuart from the line of defense. Koel’s move can put the Scottish attacking midfielder backwards to allow maximum space on the pitch. Then Indian forwards like Ishan Pandit with Daniel Cheema will have a chance. Vukomanovich’s habit is to look at the sky with the opponents in mind. The Blasters will be looking to bolster their pressure on Jamshedpur’s left side in the first quarter and defensive midfield struggling with physical prowess today. If so, Nishukumar and Jackson Singh could be in the XI. Jamshedpur are the only team to have scored more than half (23) of their goals scored from set pieces. The Blasters may also be expecting tough pressing as they reach the second quarter as the goal is inevitable. The return of Nishu and Jackson will be the answer to this. Injured wing back Nishu is strong on the back and front while the tall Jackson is a reliable player in the box as well. In Jamshedpur’s wild attack, another possibility opens up for Vukomanovic – a counter-attack weapon that swims against the current and drowns opponents. Jamshedpur would be a good place to stay as Vasquez, Perera, Luna and Sahal are all armed!
English Summary: Kerala Blasters VS Jamshedpur FC Live