Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], September 21 (ANI): The Indian Super League (ISL) is set to witness an exciting showdown as Kerala Blasters FC faces off against East Bengal FC in their second league clash at the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi this Sunday. The much-anticipated match is scheduled to commence at 7:30 PM IST, promising a thrilling evening for football fans.

Kerala Blasters FC, after a narrow defeat to Punjab FC, will be eager to secure their first home victory of the season. Despite their loss, the Blasters demonstrated resilience, pushing Punjab FC to the edge and conceding only in the added time of the second half. This determination will undoubtedly fuel their ambitions as they prepare to take on East Bengal FC.

East Bengal, on the other hand, comes into this match following a 1-0 loss to Bengaluru FC in their season opener. The Red and Gold Brigade showed promise, consistently challenging Bengaluru’s defense, but ultimately fell short. They will be looking to convert their persistent efforts into tangible results against Kerala Blasters FC.

A key statistic to note is that teams led by East Bengal’s head coach Carles Cuadrat have scored in all seven of their ISL encounters against Kerala Blasters, netting a total of 15 goals. This impressive record highlights the competitive nature of this fixture and sets the stage for an intense battle.

Kerala Blasters FC’s Pritam Kotal boasts an unbeaten record against East Bengal FC in the ISL, having won all seven of his matches against them. This track record makes East Bengal the only team he has never lost to in the competition. His seven victories against them are tied for his second-highest win total against any opponent, alongside NorthEast United FC (P17 W9 D3 L5).

In the pre-match press conference, Kerala Blasters head coach Mikael Stahre emphasized the need for a more aggressive approach. “We have to attack with more players, have more passers, be more precise and technical, and ultimately, more effective. I’m positive, but right now, it’s really painful to handle this defeat. But we will bounce back,” he stated.

Conversely, East Bengal’s head coach Carles Cuadrat acknowledged the challenge ahead but remained optimistic. “The last game was a difficult one to start the season, but now we move forward. It will be a tough match tomorrow. The pressure will also be on Kerala Blasters FC because of their previous result, so they’ll be competitive. Our aim is to play well, be competitive, and fight back tomorrow,” Cuadrat remarked.

For Kerala Blasters FC, Jesus Jimenez, who made an impactful debut by scoring against Punjab FC, will be a key player to watch in this upcoming match. His performance could be crucial in turning the tide for the Yellow Army.

Meanwhile, East Bengal will rely heavily on Dimitrios Diamantakos for goals. Diamantakos won the ISL 2023-24 Golden Boot last season while playing for Kerala Blasters, scoring 13 goals. His return to face his former club adds an intriguing subplot to this encounter.

As both teams gear up for this critical match, fans can expect a display of skill, strategy, and determination on the field, making it a must-watch event in the ISL calendar.