Kerala Blasters vs East Bengal: ISL 2024-25 Pre-Match Overview

The Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season witnesses an exciting clash as Kerala Blasters FC is set to face East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, Kerala. The match is scheduled for September 22, with a kickoff time of 7:30 PM IST.

As the Kerala Blasters prepare for their second match of the season at home, they aim to bounce back from their previous narrow defeat to Punjab FC. The team from Kerala displayed impressive resistance during their last encounter, only to lose in the final moments of the match in added time.

East Bengal, known as the Red and Golds, also seek to recover from their season-opening loss against Bengaluru FC. After a strong performance against Bengaluru, their coach, Carles Cuadrat, acknowledged the challenge ahead. He stated, “The last game was a difficult one to start the season, but now we move forward. It will be a tough match tomorrow. The pressure will also be on Kerala Blasters FC, so they’ll be competitive.”

In historical encounters, Cuadrat’s teams have scored 15 goals in seven games against Kerala Blasters FC, marking their second-highest tally against any opponent in the ISL. Meanwhile, Pritam Kotal of Kerala Blasters FC boasts a remarkable record, having won all seven of his ISL matches against East Bengal FC.

Mikael Stahre, head coach of Kerala Blasters FC, emphasized the need for a more aggressive approach. “We have to attack with more players, have more passers, be more precise and technical, and, ultimately, more effective. I’m positive, but right now, it’s really painful to handle this defeat. But we will bounce back,” Stahre remarked during a pre-match press conference.

Amongst the players to watch, Jesus Jimenez, who scored during his debut against Punjab FC, is expected to play a pivotal role for the Yellow Army. For East Bengal, Dimitrios Diamantakos, last season’s ISL Golden Boot winner, remains a key player in their attacking lineup.

The match will broadcast live in India on Sports18 and can also be streamed via Jio Cinema. Football fans await an intense contest as both teams aspire to secure crucial points early in the season.