Kerala Blasters Set to Face Punjab FC in Season Opener

Kerala Blasters are preparing to begin their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season with a home match against Punjab FC at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. Although they had to part ways with last season’s top scorer, Dimitrios Diamantakos, the team showed promising performance during their pre-season in Thailand. Notably, their Moroccan forward, Noah Sadaoui, secured the Golden Boot award in the Durand Cup, and the new head coach, Mikael Stahre, is hopeful that Sadaoui, alongside Spaniard Jesus Nunez, will continue their excellent form against Punjab.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 7:30 PM IST on September 15, and fans can catch the live telecast on the Sports18 network or stream it live via the Jio Cinema app and website.

Stahre’s appointment to replace Ivan Vukomanovic marks a new era for Kerala Blasters, as the Swedish coach aims to lead the team to victory this season. Despite losing key player Dimitrios Diamantakos, the Blasters have reinforced their squad with forward Jesus Jimenez and defender Alexandre Coeff, hoping to fill the gap left by former captain Marko Leskovic. In the midfield, Vibin Mohanan‘s impressive form may overshadow the absence of Jeakson Singh.

Adrian Luna remains the central figure for Kerala Blasters, with hopes resting on his collaboration with Sadaoui, Kwame Peprah, and Jimenez to secure victories and bring joy to their supporters, the Manjappada.

Punjab FC, on the other hand, has undergone significant transformations under the new management of Greek coach Panagiotis Dilmperis. This is Dilmperis’s first role in Asia, and he has the task of elevating the team beyond last season’s performance. Despite the departure of key players like Madih Talal and Juan Mera, Punjab FC has bolstered their ranks with new foreign signings such as Norway’s Mushaga Bakenga and Argentina’s Ezequiel Vidal.

Furthermore, the club seeks to strengthen its midfield with Filip Mrzljak and defender Ivan Novoselec, backed by veteran Luka Macej, who remains vital for Punjab’s scoring prospects. Despite these positive changes, the team’s lack of strong Indian players remains a concern, and many are predicting a struggle to stay away from the bottom of the table.

Coach Stahre expressed confidence in Kerala Blasters’ evolving squad, combining youth, experience, and a strong drive for success. Meanwhile, Coach Dilmperis of Punjab FC is determined to make progress with a focus on quality enhancements and strategic growth, backed by club director Nikolaos Topoliatis’s support.