Indian Super League: Kerala face Goa, with last-4 spot on mind

Rooted to the bottom of the table, Kerala Blasters continue to fancy their top-four chances as they host FC Goa in the penultimate round at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday, with a mathematical possibility keeping their semi-final hopes alive.

With 12 points from as many rounds the Blasters must defeat Goa and also have to upset the Dynamos in Delhi on December 3, in order to be in consideration for the semi-finals.

They will also rely on results in at least three other fixtures so as to attain the fourth place that they reached last season before making the final, losing 0-1 to Atletico de Kolkata.

Blasters head coach Terry Phelan, said they wanted to have one last hurrah. “We still have hope,” said . Phelan. “Honestly I’m not worried about Goa because we have to go and win the last two games,” he said.

The yellow brigade will be playing their third game in eight days, two of the previous rounds being away to Chennaiyin and Mumbai City ending in 1-4 defeat and a 1-1 draw respectively.

“It’s been fairly disappointing. We’ve been conceding silly goals, creating some wonderful chances but not able to put the ball in the back of the net,” Phelan said.

The hosts look certain to continue with a midfield diamond and right-back Rahul Bheke who was rested in Mumbai after 11 consecutive appearances could return.

Having scored in a record four games in a row, striker Antonio German is Kerala’s main man. Goa claim they are not relaxing just yet even as they stand second in the table on 19 points, until Friday.

Marcus Williams becomes fourth player to leave Blasters In line with their shrinking fortunes the Kerala Blasters squad has also thinned down as left-back Marcus Williams is confirmed as the fourth player to leave the club during the season.

“Marcus went back to UK for surgery about three days ago. He had a problem with a bone just above his ankle,” said assistant coa-ch Trevor Morgan. The English defender hasn’t featured in match-day squads after Round 5.

Watt left the club in the second week of this month with a hamstring injury sustained in the Round 9 home defeat (2-3) to Atletico. Marquee player Carlos Marchena had an injury-ridden time in the ISL, playing just 50 minutes before bidding goodbye after the 7th round. Defender Gurwinder Singh had his season cut short with a foot injury.

Only two of the four players have been replaced, with Brazilian defender Rodrigo Arroz coming in for Watt and Deepak Mondal for Gurwinder.

“We were bringing in two Brazilian players to replace Sanchez and Carlos. One of them fell through at the last moment because you have to sign players whose contract had finished by August 31 and this player’s contract ran till November 2.”