FC Pune City 1-1 Kerala Blasters : Review
FC Pune City and Kerala Blasters fought out an intense game that ended 1-1 at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Monday. Cedric Hengbart scored the fastest goal of the Hero Indian Super League this season timed at 2.12 minutes, but it was not enough for the away side to grab all three points. After a tough battle in the first half, FC Pune City marquee Mohamed Sissoko struck in the 68th minute to level things up. In the third minute, Azrack Mahamat’s volley was deflected off the Pune defence and fell kindly for an unmarked Hengbart who shot the home side into the lead. An intense game followed, and with an all Indian back four, matters always looked risky for the home side. For Kerala, it wasn’t the same as marquee Aaron Hughes and Hengbart combined well, and didn’t allow much space for Pune to operate.
Many chances came Tramore’s way but the striker failed to take even one of them. In the 2th minute, Hughes missed a cross from Izumi and it fell kindly for Tramore who could not capitalise. He also sailed a header wide in the 40th minute as a good cross came in from the right. Pune finally equalised in the 68th minute when Jonathan Lucca’s crossed and Sissoko’s defected shot found the net. It ended 1-1, with FC Pune City picking up their first points at home after two consecutive losses. Kerala Blasters on the other hand, are unbeaten in their last three games with five points out of five so far this season.
Delhi Dynamos FC vs Mumbai City FC : Preview
The capital state will go head to head with the financial capital of India as the Delhi Dynamos play host to Mumbai City FC on matchday 17 of the Hero Indian Super League on Tuesday.
Team News and Tactics
Delhi Dynamos FC
With four points of three games, the Lions have made a decent start to their campaign. They’ve shown good flair going forward, but Zambrotta’s men will be looking to shift up a couple of gears, something his squad is clearly capable of doing. Expectations are understandably high, given that they made it to the play-offs last season.
Kean Lewis, the 24-year old TFA graduate has been turning some heads with his pace and trickery on the left wing, while Gadze has led the line well. A 4-5-1 formation is expected from the lions with Gadze spearheading the lineup.
Last season, Roberto Carlos chose a very fluid brand of football. Balls were being through the middle, whereas this year with Kean and Pereira on the wings, Zambrotta can exploit the wider areas of the pitch. Delhi’s opening match of the season saw a superb display of attacking football against champions Chennayin FC. However, that was followed by a disappointing stalemate against Kerala Blasters and a 1-1 draw against Northeast United FC. Zambrotta will know that consistency is key in the ISL, and to have a shout for a playoff spot, performances have to improve.
Probable IX : Doblas, Souvik, Rocha, Konsham, Gadze, Lewis, Pereira, Lalchhawnkima, Milan, Memo
Mumbai City FC
For the away side, there is a fear of ending up like they did in the first couple of editions of the ISL. Especially last season, where Mumbai showed so much promise in the opening half of the tournament, it all went horribly wrong towards the end. The Ranbir Kapoor-owned team are yet to qualify for the play-offs in the ISL, but with the squad that they boast, this could well be the season Mumbai go all the way.
However, Guimmaraes Alexandre confirmed that marquee player Diego Forlan has not travelled with the team, but also said that the Uruguayan will be fully fit for their next home game against FC Goa on the 21st of October. Sony Norde returned from national duty, made a couple of appearances from the bench and is now expected to start against Delhi Dynamos FC. Pronoy, the Mohan Bagan midfielder will also be back for Mumbai after facing a one match ban following his red card against Atletico de Kolkata. Mumbai started their campaign in good form, until they were beaten by Kerala Blasters in what was an utterly disappointing performance from Alexandre’s side. However, with Sunil Chettri back in their ranks, they will be looking to turn things around and make a case for themselves in making it to the play-offs that have eluded them so far.
Probable IX: Roberto Tigrao, Lucian Goian, Ashutosh, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, Aiborlang Khongjee, Pronay Halder, Sehnaj Singh, Jakichand, Matías Defederico, Gérson, Leó Costa, Sony Norde
Player to watch out for : Sony Norde
The Haiti international hasn’t seen much action so far this season, but will be rearing to make his first start in this edition of the Indian Super league. Norde combined well with Sunil Chettri last season, and with the Indian captain not too far away from making a return, things are looking promising for Mumbai City FC. In the absense of the injured Diego Forlan, the responsibility of carrying the team to victory will be Sony Norde’s shoulders.
Prediction : Delhi Dynamos 1-1 Mumbai City FC
With both teams yet to hit full form, we expect an intense game between two tactically proper teams. Attacking flair on display will be aplenty, so the spoils could be shared with a goal a piece at the very least.
