PANJIM (Goa): Hyderabad FC will hope to bounce back against Kerala Blasters FC at the Indian Super League (ISL) at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Sunday.
The Kochi club is yet to register a win this season after six games and will hope to pick up their first three points of the season.
Although Kerala Blasters have kept just one clean sheet this season, their best player has been their goalkeeper Albino Gomes. The custodian is joint second for most saves this season (17) and has also saved two penalties for Kibu Vicuna’s side.
The Spaniard’s main concern, however, will be his team’s inability to create chances. Kerala Blasters have managed only 54 shots in Hero ISL 2020-21 and have created only 7.17 chances per match this season.
“Every game is difficult. Hyderabad played well in their last match. It is a tough challenge but we are training well. We are improving and taking steps forward. I am confident we are going to play a good match,” Kerala head coach Vicuna said ahead of the game.
Kerala, however, have scored four goals in their last three matches, and have a strong conversion rate of 11.11 shots per goal this season, only behind Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC. Their main striker Gary Hooper, with just one goal in six games, is yet to find his goal-scoring consistency but against a fragile Hyderabad defence that has failed to keep a clean sheet in last four of their six matches so far, the striker will back himself to come good and add to his tally.
Hyderabad’s defence have conceded five of their total six goals in their last three matches. Hyderabad custodian Subrata Paul has faced close to four shots on target per match in their last three matches. In total contrast, Manuel Marquez’s side faced only 1.7 shots on target in their opening three fixtures.
The match will also see Hyderabad’s Halicharan Narzary take the field against his former side. Narzary, who scored against SC East Bengal earlier this month, has established himself as a fixture for Hyderabad this season and will undoubtedly be extra-motivated against the Blasters.
(Source: Hyderabad FC)
