Kerala Blasters FC will face Hyderabad FC in the final of the Hero Indian Super League at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Sunday. Kerala Blasters defeated Jamshedpur FC by 2-1 on aggregate in the semifinal to book their place in the final whereas Hyderabad FC were able to get the better of ATK Mohun Bagan by 3-2 on aggregate in the other semifinal.
This will be Southerners’ third final of the Hero ISL after having finished as runners-up back in 2014-15 and 2016-17, both times losing to Atletico de Kolkata (now ATK Mohun Bagan). Thus, the Yellow Army will be looking to go one step ahead on this occasion. On the other hand, this is the first time when Hyderabad FC have made it to the final of the tournament.
When these two teams met earlier in the season, both of them won one match each. Kerala Blasters FC defeated Hyderabad by 1-0 in January while Manuel Marquez’s team had bested the Southerners by 2-1 in the February clash.
Both teams will look to bring their best in the all-important final to clinch their maiden ISL title and create history.
Manuel Marquez said before the game, “I think that now with people in the stands it would be a good final. But I want our fans to be there, I know that Manjappada, Kerala has a lot of fans. I want to tell Hyderabad supporters that it would be very good if they can come to PJN Stadium on Sunday.”
Ivan Vukomanovic said after qualifying for the final, “It’s been a great achievement, I think for the club, first of all, and especially for the fans who were waiting for so long to be where we are standing today. After several years of disappointment and several seasons of less good results, I’d say, we achieved something great today. And I think that we should all be happy, all the yellow family, all the people from Kerala, we all should be happy.”
Match: Hyderabad FC vs Kerala Blasters FC.
Prediction: Hyderabad FC might enter the contest as slightly favorites against Kerala Blasters FC.
Venue: PJN Stadium, Fatorda.
Timings: 7:30 PM IST.
Live Telecast: Star Sports Network, Live Streaming: Disney Hotstar.
