EYE ON SEMIS, KERALA LOOK TO TAME NEUFC

Guwahati, Feb. 16: Kerala Blasters will aim for nothing less than full points against NorthEast United FC in their Indian Super League encounter, here on Saturday.

Blasters coach David James is up against Avram Grant, who coached him at Portsmouth back in 2010 but pleasantries will only be exchanged till kick- off.

Kerala Blasters have a fighting chance of qualifying for the semi- finals of the ISL with 21 points from 15 matches. They must win all three remaining matches to have a chance and may still not make it.

“The coach ( James) was my player. Eight years ago we made it to the final of the ( FA) Cup ( where Portsmouth lost to Chelsea 0- 1 in the final). We had an unbelievable achievement. He was the captain. I wish him all the best but we will try to win the game. It is good for the future that the team will not give up and show good mentality,” said United coach Grant.

NorthEast United are already out of the race but will want three points to give their fans something to cheer. Two of the three victories for NorthEast United have come at home.

“You all know what happened in the first half of the season. We tried to improve things that needed to improve. We came out of the situation. From being good on the counter, now we dominate and create a lot of chances.

“Last three games are typical of what happened, control the game, miss chances and rivals score from one half- attack. The results are better than the first half but not like we expected,” said Grant.

Blasters let defending champions ATK snatch points from them with a late draw in their last game, which halted their run of two successive victories.