Hindustan Times ST (Jaipur)

Kerala Blasters hope to continue winning streak vs Chennaiyin

- Press Trust of India sportsdesk@hindustant­imes.com

Kerala Blasters would look to extend their unbeaten run when they take on Chennaiyin FC in a crucial Indian Super League match, here on Friday.

Unbeaten in four consecutiv­e matches, Kerala Blasters are eying a remote possibilit­y of making the ISL play-offs and a win tomorrow would definitely help their cause.

Chennaiyin are not yet assured of qualificat­ion for the semi-finals but even a loss will keep them among the top four.

However, both the teams have only two matches left.

The previous match between the two sides ended in a 1-1 draw after goals in the 89th and 90th minutes from Rene Mihelic and CK Vineeth respective­ly. But tomorrow, neither would be happy except a win.

“It was a tough schedule for us to play games and then recover for a day before jumping onto the plane again. We’re delighted with the amount of points we’ve got from these last four matches. I didn’t change the team that much so it has been a huge workload for them and that says everything about my squad,” Chennaiyin head coach John Gregory said .

“We’re where we are because of our work ethic. Now we come into this game with an unusual four-five days of rest and we are in very good shape.”

Blasters new coach David James sounded confident, and said that there were initial question marks when he joined Kerala for the second time in his career.

“The experience I had as a head coach was also a matter of question but from day one it was always about how Kerala Blasters is about everyone involved with the club and not just the players and the head coach. So without wanting to make it sound too easy, it was still easy to instill confidence in everyone with a support staff like mine,” he said.

On the upcoming game, James said he expected an energetic match. “We expect them to win the game and get over the line. For us, we have to win the game and aim for six points (out of two games),” he said.

KOCHI:

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