AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: Kerala Blasters FC will hope to make capital out of the home advantage when they host league table toppers Chennaiyin FC in the first leg of the first semi-final of the inaugural season of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) in Kochi on Saturday.

The hosts qualified for the knockouts in dramatic fashion after Iain Hume’s goal helped them beat FC Pune City in their last league stage game.

Chennaiyin wrested the lead from Atlético de Kolkata midway through the campaign and managed to stay there till the end despite being held by Delhi Dynamos in their final league game.

Goal scoring has been the major issue for the men from the backwaters. They’ve scored a tournament low nine goals in comparison to the prolific Chennai side who have 24.

Unsurprisingly, Chennaiyin have been the more attacking side with more shots (195-160) and shots on goal (106-78). Kerala however have put in more crosses (271-194) than the visitors. From a defensive point of view, Kerala have more clean sheets (6-3) and blocks (87-70) and this may serve them in good stead.

Marco Materazzi’s men have won both their league matches earlier, 2-1 at home and 0-1 away, and will hope to repeat the feat in this South Indian derby.  

On the other hand, David James will hope his side can ride on the crowd support and upset the applecart of their more fancied rivals who could have marquee player and the league’s leading goalscorer Elano Blumer back in the line-up.

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