Kerala seek goals against Mumbai

Kochi: In the wake of a second goalless draw at home last week, scores of internet memes have circulated locally, mocking Kerala Blasters’ inability to score.

With an erratic Mumbai City visiting at the Nehru Stadium here on Sunday the Blasters are under pressure to not just find the back of the net, but also to scram out of social media humiliation.

Kerala head coach Rene Meulensteen has urged to not make a fuss about their lack of goals even as he acknowledged his side’s lack of “penetration, cutting edge and final decision making”.

Meulensteen feels Mumbai will be a threat on the counter even though he expects his side to dominate possession, just like they did against Jamshedpur.  

Kerala are likely to remain unchanged with Arata Izumi set to continue in his new-found holding midfield role and star striker Dimitar Berbatov, in an unusually free-role, behind Iain Hume.

With two defeats in three games Mumbai City will play their third away match in Kochi and head coach Alexandre Guimaraes is hoping to put an end to their poor display on the road.

Pune face Chennaiyin
Hosts FC Pune City coach Ranko Popovic has no doubt that his team can put an end to their win drought against Chenna-iyin FC in their fourth round clash on Sunday.