Cheniyin, Blasters in crunch tie

Cheni, Nov 20 :  Cheniyin FC and Kerala Blasters look to outwit each other in a crucial 11th round Indian Super League (ISL) clash here on Saturday.

Last year, Blasters overcame a strong challenge of the home team to enter the fil of the competition.

But the two teams are pegged at the reverse end of the standings this year with Cheniyin at the bottom with 10 points from 10 matches and Blasters pocketing 11 points to be placed just a rung above them at seventh.

“There is not much to think about. We have to take one game at a time and hope that we win this one. After that, we will think about the next game,” said Cheniyin FC coach Marco Materazzi.

Cheniyin FC have lost three matches in a row and now must win their remaining four matches to have a mathematical chance of qualifying for the semi-fils.

Their remaining matches include Delhi Dymos (November 24), Mumbai City FC (December 1) and FC Pune City (December 5), with the last game played away.

Materazzi denied a popular perception that Cheniyin FC are too predictable with Stiven Mendoza as striker, Elano Blumer as the attacking midfielder and Raphael Augusto in midfield.

“I wouldn’t say we are predictable because when Jayesh was playing and we played against Goa, we scored four goals against a team who later scored seven (against Mumbai). I would like my players in optimal physical condition all the time but that’s not possible. The choice of Raphael is simple. He is an amazing player. He is a top player and that’s why I pick him,” said Materazzi.  IANS