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{{Short description| | {{Short description|4th season in existence of Kerala Blasters FC}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2017}} | {{Use Indian English|date=November 2017}} | ||
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| chairman = Varun Tripuraneni | | chairman = Varun Tripuraneni | ||
| chrtitle = CEO | | chrtitle = CEO | ||
| stadium = {{ | | stadium = {{nowrap|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]], [[Kochi]]}} | ||
| league = [[Indian Super League|ISL]] | | league = [[Indian Super League|ISL]] | ||
| league result = [[2017–18 Indian Super League | | league result = [[2017–18 Indian Super League#League table|6th]] | ||
| cup1 = | | cup1 = Play-offs | ||
| cup1 result = | | cup1 result = ''DNQ'' | ||
| cup2 = [[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]] | | cup2 = [[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]] | ||
| cup2 result = [[2018 Indian Super Cup|Round of 16]] | | cup2 result = [[2018 Indian Super Cup|Round of 16]] | ||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
| lowest attendance = 16,796 vs. [[Delhi Dynamos FC|Delhi Dynamos]]<br/>(27 January 2018)<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Blasters 2-1 Delhi Dynamos|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/matchcentre/20020-kerala-blasters-fc-vs-delhi-dynamos-fc|website=Indian Super League|access-date=27 January 2018|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129004255/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/matchcentre/20020-kerala-blasters-fc-vs-delhi-dynamos-fc|url-status=live}}</ref> | | lowest attendance = 16,796 vs. [[Delhi Dynamos FC|Delhi Dynamos]]<br/>(27 January 2018)<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Blasters 2-1 Delhi Dynamos|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/matchcentre/20020-kerala-blasters-fc-vs-delhi-dynamos-fc|website=Indian Super League|access-date=27 January 2018|archive-date=29 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129004255/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/matchcentre/20020-kerala-blasters-fc-vs-delhi-dynamos-fc|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
<!-- kit --><!--These kits are based on what the team has said is official. Several variations of these have been used on game day. Please do not edit these.--> | <!-- kit --><!--These kits are based on what the team has said is official. Several variations of these have been used on game day. Please do not edit these.--> | ||
| pattern_la1 = | | pattern_la1 = _blueborder | ||
| pattern_b1 = _thinbluesides | | pattern_b1 = _thinbluesides | ||
| pattern_ra1 = | | pattern_ra1 = _blueborder | ||
| pattern_sh1 = _bluebottom | | pattern_sh1 = _bluebottom | ||
| pattern_so1 = _bluehorizontal | | pattern_so1 = _bluehorizontal | ||
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| socks1 = FFFF00 | | socks1 = FFFF00 | ||
| pattern_la2 = _yellowborder | | pattern_la2 = _yellowborder | ||
| pattern_b2 = | | pattern_b2 = _thinyellowsides | ||
| pattern_ra2 = _yellowborder | | pattern_ra2 = _yellowborder | ||
| pattern_so2 = _yellowtop | | pattern_so2 = _yellowtop | ||
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| nextseason = [[2018–19 Kerala Blasters FC season|2018–19]] | | nextseason = [[2018–19 Kerala Blasters FC season|2018–19]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
The '''2017–18 season''' was the | The '''2017–18 season''' was the [[List of Kerala Blasters FC seasons|fourth season]] in [[Kerala Blasters FC]]'s existence, as well as their fourth season in [[Indian Super League]]. The club finished the Indian Super League points table in the 6th place, thus missing out the play-offs. The Blasters also made their debut in the [[2018 Indian Super Cup|inaugural edition]] of [[Super Cup (India)|Super Cup]] during the season, being eliminated in the first round after losing against [[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]]. | ||
Following the departure of [[Steve Coppell]] to the new side [[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]], Kerala Blasters announced the signing of [[René Meulensteen]] as their new head coach on 14 July 2017. The club also participated in the [[2017–18 ISL Players Draft]], bringing in [[Rino Anto]], [[Milan Singh]], [[Arata Izumi]], [[Subhasish Roy Chowdhury]], and [[Jackichand Singh]]. Former Kerala Blasters forward [[Iain Hume]] rejoined the side in July while the club also signed former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] players [[Wes Brown]] and [[Dimitar Berbatov]] in the lead up to the season. | Following the departure of [[Steve Coppell]] to the new side [[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]], Kerala Blasters announced the signing of [[René Meulensteen]] as their new head coach on 14 July 2017. The club also participated in the [[2017–18 ISL Players Draft]], bringing in [[Rino Anto]], [[Milan Singh]], [[Arata Izumi]], [[Subhasish Roy Chowdhury]], and [[Jackichand Singh]]. Former Kerala Blasters forward [[Iain Hume]] rejoined the side in July while the club also signed former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] players [[Wes Brown]] and [[Dimitar Berbatov]] in the lead up to the season. | ||
After only winning one match in their first seven games, Meulensteen was relieved of his duties on 3 January 2018. [[David James (footballer, born 1970)|David James]], the | After only winning one match in their first seven games, Meulensteen was relieved of his duties on 3 January 2018. [[David James (footballer, born 1970)|David James]], the Blasters head coach during the [[2014 Kerala Blasters FC season|2014 season]], was brought in as the new head coach the same day. | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Kerala Blasters began their preparations for the 2017–18 season by bringing in former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] assistant coach [[René Meulensteen]] as the club's new head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bharali|first=Abhijit|date=2017-07-14|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters name Rene Meulensteen as head coach|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-name-rene-meulensteen-as-head-coach|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121122729/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-name-rene-meulensteen-as-head-coach|archive-date=21 November 2020|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us}}</ref> The signing of Meulensteen came only two days after former head coach Steve Coppell announced that he would be leaving the club.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bharali|first=Abhijit|date=2017-07-12|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters confirm Steve Coppell's exit|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-confirm-steve-coppell-exit|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120123919/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-confirm-steve-coppell-exit|archive-date=20 November 2020|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us}}</ref> A couple of weeks later, on 23 July 2017, the Kerala Blasters participated in the [[2017–18 ISL Players Draft]]. Since the club had already retained the services of [[Sandesh Jhingan]], [[C.K. Vineeth]], and [[Prasanth Karuthadathkuni]], the Blasters would enter the draft in round three. For their first draft pick, the Kerala Blasters selected defender [[Rino Anto]]. Anto was already part of the Kerala Blasters the previous season, on loan from [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=200 plus Indian Players Vie for Ten ISL Clubs selection|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/press-releases/200-plus-indian-players-vie-for-ten-isl-clubs-selection|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/ | Kerala Blasters began their preparations for the 2017–18 season by bringing in former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] assistant coach [[René Meulensteen]] as the club's new head coach.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bharali|first=Abhijit|date=2017-07-14|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters name Rene Meulensteen as head coach|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-name-rene-meulensteen-as-head-coach|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121122729/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-name-rene-meulensteen-as-head-coach|archive-date=21 November 2020|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us}}</ref> The signing of Meulensteen came only two days after former head coach Steve Coppell announced that he would be leaving the club.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bharali|first=Abhijit|date=2017-07-12|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters confirm Steve Coppell's exit|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-confirm-steve-coppell-exit|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120123919/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-confirm-steve-coppell-exit|archive-date=20 November 2020|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us}}</ref> A couple of weeks later, on 23 July 2017, the Kerala Blasters participated in the [[2017–18 ISL Players Draft]]. Since the club had already retained the services of [[Sandesh Jhingan]], [[C.K. Vineeth]], and [[Prasanth Karuthadathkuni]], the Blasters would enter the draft in round three. For their first draft pick, the Kerala Blasters selected defender [[Rino Anto]]. Anto was already part of the Kerala Blasters the previous season, on loan from [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=200 plus Indian Players Vie for Ten ISL Clubs selection|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/press-releases/200-plus-indian-players-vie-for-ten-isl-clubs-selection|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027181324/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/press-releases/5587-200-plus-indian-players-vie-for-ten-isl-clubs-selection|archive-date=27 October 2017|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Indian Super League|language=en}}</ref> The club also selected [[India national football team|India]] internationals, [[Milan Singh]], [[Arata Izumi]], [[Subhasish Roy Chowdhury]], and [[Jackichand Singh]]. The club also selected defenders [[Lalruatthara]] and [[Lalthakima]], both of whom won the [[I-League]] in [[2016–17 I-League|2016–17]] with [[Aizawl]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017 player draft, as it happened: ATK, Jamshedpur FC and Pune strike big|url=https://scroll.in/field/844751/isl-2017-player-draft-as-it-happened-atk-jamshedpur-fc-and-pune-strike-big|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210214170713/https://scroll.in/field/844751/isl-2017-player-draft-as-it-happened-atk-jamshedpur-fc-and-pune-strike-big|archive-date=14 February 2021|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
The next day, on 24 July, the Kerala Blasters announced their first foreign signing of the season, [[Canada men's national soccer team|Canadian]] international and former Kerala Blasters player, [[Iain Hume]].<ref>{{Cite web| | The next day, on 24 July, the Kerala Blasters announced their first foreign signing of the season, [[Canada men's national soccer team|Canadian]] international and former Kerala Blasters player, [[Iain Hume]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 24, 2017|first1=Rayson P.|last=Tennyson|title=Iain Hume: ISL: Kerala Blasters sign Iain Hume|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/isl-kerala-blasters-sign-iain-hume/articleshow/59737201.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171030132742/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/isl-kerala-blasters-sign-iain-hume/articleshow/59737201.cms|archive-date=30 October 2017|access-date=2021-06-29|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> Following the signing of Hume, the club made headlines when they signed former [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]] defender [[Wes Brown]] on 15 August 2017, and another former Manchester United player, [[Dimitar Berbatov]], on 24 August.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-08-15|title=Former Manchester United defender Brown makes India move|url=https://www.itv.com/news/2017-08-15/former-manchester-united-defender-wes-brown-signs-for-indian-super-league-side-kerala-blasters|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121062042/https://www.itv.com/news/2017-08-15/former-manchester-united-defender-wes-brown-signs-for-indian-super-league-side-kerala-blasters|archive-date=21 January 2021|access-date=2021-06-29|website=ITV News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-08-23|title=Dimitar Berbatov signed by Kerala Blasters|url=https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/3186720/isl-side-kerala-blasters-sign-dimitar-berbatov-on-one-year-contract|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819023550/https://www.espn.com/soccer/soccer-transfers/story/3186720/isl-side-kerala-blasters-sign-dimitar-berbatov-on-one-year-contract|archive-date=19 August 2019|access-date=2021-06-29|website=ESPN.com|language=en}}</ref> "In terms of selection of players, we were looking at him for quite sometime," said Varun Tripuraneni, the Kerala Blasters CEO, "After Rene Meulensteen came on board, it became easier to get the deal done. Berbatov has been with Rene in Manchester United, so they share a comfort level and chemistry".<ref>{{Cite web|title=A big catch: Kerala Blasters sign former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov|url=https://scroll.in/field/848244/a-big-catch-kerala-blasters-sign-former-manchester-united-striker-dimitar-berbatov|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629131548/https://scroll.in/field/848244/a-big-catch-kerala-blasters-sign-former-manchester-united-striker-dimitar-berbatov|archive-date=2021-06-29|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Scroll.in|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
Just a few days prior to the start of the season, Meulensteen named Jhingan as his club captain for the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kerala Blasters' Rene Meulensteen - Sandesh Jhingan And Nemanja Lakic-pesic Were Outstanding|url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-rene-meulensteen-sandesh-jhingan/1oi26860lxxdiz61zfk8ingtt|accessdate=23 November 2017|work=Goal.com|date=17 November 2017|archive-date=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121111026/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-rene-meulensteen-sandesh-jhingan/1oi26860lxxdiz61zfk8ingtt|url-status=live}}</ref> | Just a few days prior to the start of the season, Meulensteen named Jhingan as his club captain for the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kerala Blasters' Rene Meulensteen - Sandesh Jhingan And Nemanja Lakic-pesic Were Outstanding|url=http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-rene-meulensteen-sandesh-jhingan/1oi26860lxxdiz61zfk8ingtt|accessdate=23 November 2017|work=Goal.com|date=17 November 2017|archive-date=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121111026/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-rene-meulensteen-sandesh-jhingan/1oi26860lxxdiz61zfk8ingtt|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
===Signings=== | ===Signings=== | ||
{{col- | {{col-begin}} | ||
{{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
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|{{flagicon|SVN}} [[FC Koper]] | |{{flagicon|SVN}} [[FC Koper]] | ||
|10 August 2017 | |10 August 2017 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters sign Ghanaian attacking midfielder Courage Pekuson | |<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters sign Ghanaian attacking midfielder Courage Pekuson|url=https://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-sign-ghanaian-attacking-midfielder/wg5ze2lx92jz1bxk5xtngplpc|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818184036/https://www.goal.com/en-ke/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-sign-ghanaian-attacking-midfielder/wg5ze2lx92jz1bxk5xtngplpc|archive-date=18 August 2017|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|DF}} | |{{sort|?|DF}} | ||
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|{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Kapfenberger SV]] | |{{flagicon|AUT}} [[Kapfenberger SV]] | ||
|11 August 2017 | |11 August 2017 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters sign Serbian defender Nemanja Lakic-Pesic | |<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters sign Serbian defender Nemanja Lakic-Pesic|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-sign-serbian-defender-nemanja-lakic/dilf5evxmgnn1dct2vuhxopam|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617165949/https://www.goal.com/en/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-sign-serbian-defender-nemanja-lakic/dilf5evxmgnn1dct2vuhxopam|archive-date=17 June 2018|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|DF}} | |{{sort|?|DF}} | ||
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|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] | |{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] | ||
|15 August 2017 | |15 August 2017 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-08-15|title=Indian Super League: Kerala Blasters announce signing of former Manchester United defender Wes Brown | |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-08-15|title=Indian Super League: Kerala Blasters announce signing of former Manchester United defender Wes Brown|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/india-super-league-kerala-blasters-announce-signing-of-former-manchester-united-defender-wes-brown-3934133.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108004204/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/india-super-league-kerala-blasters-announce-signing-of-former-manchester-united-defender-wes-brown-3934133.html|archive-date=8 November 2020|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Firstpost}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|GK}} | |{{sort|?|GK}} | ||
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|{{flagicon|NED}} [[RKC Waalwijk]] | |{{flagicon|NED}} [[RKC Waalwijk]] | ||
|20 August 2017 | |20 August 2017 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web| | |<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 21, 2017|first=Rayson P.|last=Tennyson|title=indian super league: Kerala Blasters sign Dutch youngster Mark Sifneos|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/kerala-blasters-sign-dutch-youngster-mark-sifneos/articleshow/60153195.cms|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170824191023/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/kerala-blasters-sign-dutch-youngster-mark-sifneos/articleshow/60153195.cms|archive-date=24 August 2017|access-date=2021-06-29|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|FW}} | |{{sort|?|FW}} | ||
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|{{flagicon|GRE}} [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] | |{{flagicon|GRE}} [[PAOK FC|PAOK]] | ||
|23 August 2017 | |23 August 2017 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web| | |<ref>{{Cite web|date=August 23, 2017|agency=Reuters|title=Indian Super League: Kerala Blasters sign ex-Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/dimitar-berbatov-kerala-blasters-indian-super-league-1030998-2017-08-23|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629140051/https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/dimitar-berbatov-kerala-blasters-indian-super-league-1030998-2017-08-23|archive-date=2021-06-29|access-date=2021-06-29|website=India Today|language=en}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|GK}} | |{{sort|?|GK}} | ||
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|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Southern Samity]] | |{{flagicon|IND}} [[Southern Samity]] | ||
|31 August 2017 | |31 August 2017 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017: Veteran goalkeeper Sandip Nandy seals return to Kerala Blasters | |<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017: Veteran goalkeeper Sandip Nandy seals return to Kerala Blasters|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-sandip-nandy-return/1rg6449q776lr1eex8g7sq923c|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629140337/https://www.goal.com/en/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-sandip-nandy-return/1rg6449q776lr1eex8g7sq923c|archive-date=2021-06-29|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|DF}} | |{{sort|?|DF}} | ||
| Line 188: | Line 188: | ||
|''Free Agent'' | |''Free Agent'' | ||
|6 September 2017 | |6 September 2017 | ||
|<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2017-09-29|title=Sahal Abdul Samad And Jishnu Balakrishnan | |<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2017-09-29|title=Sahal Abdul Samad And Jishnu Balakrishnan|publisher=The Fan Garage|url=https://thefangarage.com/articles/12487-isl-2017hidden-gems-kerala-blasters-budding-talents-could-be-tomorrows-stars/4|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629195410/https://thefangarage.com/articles/12487-isl-2017hidden-gems-kerala-blasters-budding-talents-could-be-tomorrows-stars/4|archive-date=2021-06-29|access-date=2021-06-29|website=thefangarage.com}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|MF}} | |{{sort|?|MF}} | ||
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|{{flagicon|ISL}} [[Stjarnan]] (loan) | |{{flagicon|ISL}} [[Stjarnan]] (loan) | ||
|26 January 2018 | |26 January 2018 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017-18: Kerala Blasters sign Icelandic striker Gudjon Baldvinsson | |<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017-18: Kerala Blasters sign Icelandic striker Gudjon Baldvinsson|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-gudjon-baldvinsson-iceland/18gzgxcunz6qv1nogqkkd1o8ud|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026151021/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-gudjon-baldvinsson-iceland/18gzgxcunz6qv1nogqkkd1o8ud|archive-date=26 October 2020|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|MF}} | |{{sort|?|MF}} | ||
| Line 220: | Line 220: | ||
|''Released'' | |''Released'' | ||
|23 January 2018 | |23 January 2018 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-26|title=ISL 2017-18: FC Goa announces signing of former Kerala Blasters FC striker Mark Sifneos | |<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-26|title=ISL 2017-18: FC Goa announces signing of former Kerala Blasters FC striker Mark Sifneos|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-fc-goa-announces-signing-of-former-kerala-blasters-fc-striker-mark-sifneos-4321587.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108023239/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-fc-goa-announces-signing-of-former-kerala-blasters-fc-striker-mark-sifneos-4321587.html|archive-date=8 November 2020|access-date=2021-06-29|website=Firstpost}}</ref> | ||
|- | |- | ||
|{{sort|?|MF}} | |{{sort|?|MF}} | ||
| Line 226: | Line 226: | ||
|''Injury Release'' | |''Injury Release'' | ||
|1 February 2018 | |1 February 2018 | ||
|<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017-18: Kerala Blasters bring back Victor Pulga | |<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017-18: Kerala Blasters bring back Victor Pulga|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-bring-back-victor-pulga/1sl4r1wcdcwpk17j8owt7v8vyo|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518195909/http://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-bring-back-victor-pulga/1sl4r1wcdcwpk17j8owt7v8vyo|archive-date=18 May 2018|access-date=2021-06-29|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> | ||
|} | |} | ||
{{col-2}} | {{col-2}} | ||
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==Indian Super League== | ==Indian Super League== | ||
{{main|2017–18 Indian Super League | {{main|2017–18 Indian Super League}} | ||
The 2017–18 season of the [[Indian Super League]] sees 10 teams play 18 matches during the regular season; two against each other team, with one match at each club's stadium. Three points are awarded for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams in the table qualify for the finals. The team in first will take on the team in fourth and the team in second will take on the team in third in two-legged ties. The winners of each tie will face off in the [[2018 Indian Super League | The 2017–18 season of the [[Indian Super League]] sees 10 teams play 18 matches during the regular season; two against each other team, with one match at each club's stadium. Three points are awarded for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams in the table qualify for the finals. The team in first will take on the team in fourth and the team in second will take on the team in third in two-legged ties. The winners of each tie will face off in the [[2018 Indian Super League final|final]] at the [[Salt Lake Stadium]] in [[Kolkata]] on 17 March 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-21|title=ISL 2017-18 full schedule: Here's the complete list of all the matches, venues and dates|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-full-schedule-heres-the-complete-list-of-all-the-matches-venues-and-dates-4221295.html|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Firstpost}}</ref> | ||
The Kerala Blasters hosted [[ATK (football club)|ATK]] at the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]], in a rematch of last season's [[2016 Indian Super League | The Kerala Blasters hosted [[ATK (football club)|ATK]] at the [[Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (Kochi)|Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium]], in a rematch of last season's [[2016 Indian Super League final|final]], on the opening day of the season. Despite the match being billed as a "high-voltage clash amid an electric atmosphere", the match ended in a 0–0 draw.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala Blasters v ATK Match Preview, 17/11/17, Indian Super League|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/match/kerala-blasters-v-atk/preview/evvef8njj0kkacjiejbcdsh2i|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180415004355/http://www.goal.com/en-in/match/kerala-blasters-v-atk/preview/evvef8njj0kkacjiejbcdsh2i|archive-date=15 April 2018|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.goal.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala Blasters v ATK Match Report, 17/11/2017, Indian Super League|url=https://www.goal.com/en/match/kerala-blasters-v-atk/evvef8njj0kkacjiejbcdsh2i|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119211244/https://www.goal.com/en/match/kerala-blasters-v-atk/evvef8njj0kkacjiejbcdsh2i|archive-date=19 January 2018|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> The same result would occur a week later in the Blasters' second match against the new entrants [[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-11-24|title=Highlights ISL 2017, Kerala Blasters FC vs Jamshedpur FC: Both teams stay winless and goalless after 2 matches|url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-fc-vs-jamshedpur-fc-football-match-live-score-and-updates-4226443.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108024959/https://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-fc-vs-jamshedpur-fc-football-match-live-score-and-updates-4226443.html|archive-date=8 November 2020|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Firstpost}}</ref> | ||
Following these two draws, [[René Meulensteen]] stressed how it important it was for the club to start scoring goals. "The most important goal to score in a season is the first one, because the moment you score the first one, it will bring confidence.”<ref>{{Cite web|title= | Following these two draws, [[René Meulensteen]] stressed how it important it was for the club to start scoring goals. "The most important goal to score in a season is the first one, because the moment you score the first one, it will bring confidence.”<ref>{{Cite web|title=Highlights {{!}} Kerala Blasters vs Mumbai City FC, ISL 2017-18: As it happened...|url=https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/article/kerala-blasters-vs-mumbai-city-fc-isl-2017-18-live-score-live-streaming-football-updates/138399|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210072218/http://www.timesnownews.com/sports/article/kerala-blasters-vs-mumbai-city-fc-isl-2017-18-live-score-live-streaming-football-updates/138399|archive-date=10 December 2017|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.timesnownews.com|language=en}}</ref> The first match of December was at home against [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]] on 3 December. The Blasters scored their first goal of the season in the 14th minute when [[Mark Sifneos]] scored from a cross from the wing. However, in the 77th minute, Mumbai City found an equalizer through [[Balwant Singh (footballer)|Balwant Singh]] and the match ended 1–1 - a third draw in a row at home.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-12-03|title=ISL 2017, Kerala Blasters vs Mumbai City: An enthralling contest ends in a 1-1 draw|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/indian-super-league/isl-2017-football-live-score-kerala-blasters-vs-mumbai-city-kerala-blasters-search-for-goals-to-continue-against-mumbai-city-fc-4966124/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701171005/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/indian-super-league/isl-2017-football-live-score-kerala-blasters-vs-mumbai-city-kerala-blasters-search-for-goals-to-continue-against-mumbai-city-fc-4966124/|archive-date=2021-07-01|access-date=2021-07-01|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> After playing their first three matches of the season at home, the Kerala Blasters played their first away match of the season against [[FC Goa|Goa]] at the [[Fatorda Stadium]] on 9 December. A Mark Sifneos goal in the 7th minute saw the Blasters take an early lead before [[Manuel Lanzarote]] scored a brace for Goa to give the hosts a 2–1 lead. [[Jackichand Singh]] then scored an equalizer for Kerala to make it 2–2 before halftime. The second half would be different for the Kerala Blasters as they found themselves down 5–2 by the 54th minute. [[Ferran Corominas|Coro]], who had scored a hattrick the previous match for Goa against [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]], grabbed another hattrick to succumb Kerala Blasters to their first defeat of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-12-10|title=FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters: Goa thrash Kerala 5-2|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/indian-super-league/isl-2017-fc-goa-vs-kerala-blasters-live-football-score-streaming-4975559/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701171122/https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/indian-super-league/isl-2017-fc-goa-vs-kerala-blasters-live-football-score-streaming-4975559/|archive-date=2021-07-01|access-date=2021-07-01|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref> | ||
The club responded very well from the defeat, earning their first victory of the season in the next match on 15 December against [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]]. [[C.K. Vineeth]], who returned from suspension, scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute from a header which came from a [[Rino Anto]] cross.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United FC | The club responded very well from the defeat, earning their first victory of the season in the next match on 15 December against [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]]. [[C.K. Vineeth]], who returned from suspension, scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute from a header which came from a [[Rino Anto]] cross.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United FC Post Match|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-vs-northeast-united-joao-pires-de/g4gag11w893g1mewj3w5ec8rq|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122183724/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-vs-northeast-united-joao-pires-de/g4gag11w893g1mewj3w5ec8rq|archive-date=22 January 2018|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> Seven days later, the club returned to the road in the Southern derby against [[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]]. Despite [[Rene Mihelič]] scoring for the hosts in the 89th minute, C.K. Vineeth managed to equalize for the Kerala Blasters only five minutes later in stoppage time to give the Blasters a point.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ramakrishnan|first=Amrit|title=ISL: Blasters' Vineeth spoils Chennaiyin's party|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/isl-blasters-vineeth-spoils-chennaiyins-party/article22261587.ece|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130200607/https://sportstar.thehindu.com/football/isl/isl-blasters-vineeth-spoils-chennaiyins-party/article22261587.ece|archive-date=30 November 2020|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Sportstar|language=en}}</ref> | ||
The Kerala Blasters then ended the year with another 'Southern Derby" match against new expansion side [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] at the Nehru Stadium. Meulensteen made several changes from the previous match against Chennaiyin, including dropping goalkeeper [[Paul Rachubka]] to the bench for Indian goalkeeper [[Subhasish Roy Chowdhury]]. [[Samuel Shadap]] also started at right back as replacement for the injured [[Rino Anto]]. C.K. Vineeth, who had been on form in the lead up to this match, was also dropped with no reason given and replaced with [[Iain Hume]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zenith|first=Nived|date=2017-12-31|title=ISL 2017, Match 36: Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC, Player Ratings|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-match-36-kerala-blasters-vs-bengaluru-fc-player-ratings|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121132508/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-match-36-kerala-blasters-vs-bengaluru-fc-player-ratings|archive-date=21 November 2020|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us}}</ref> During the match, the Blasters managed to hold Bengaluru at 0–0 going into halftime. However, in the 60th minute, Blasters captain [[Sandesh Jhingan]] handled the ball in the penalty box after a cross from [[Udanta Singh]]. Bengaluru's [[Sunil Chhetri]] converted the ensuing penalty to give the away side the lead.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Miku's brace and Chhetri's penalty give Bengaluru bragging rights|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/mikus-brace-and-chhetris-penalty-give-bengaluru-bragging-rights|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118060341/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/mikus-brace-and-chhetris-penalty-give-bengaluru-bragging-rights|archive-date=18 November 2020|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Indian Super League|language=en}}</ref> The Kerala Blasters proceeded to try to find the equalizer but three minutes into stoppage time [[Miku (footballer)|Miku]] found the net for Bengaluru to increase their lead and then he did it again only a minute later to make it 3–0. Despite the two late goals, [[Courage Pekuson]] managed to find time to grab a consolation goal for the Blasters in the 96th minute as they fell to their second defeat of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala Blasters v Bengaluru Match Report, 31/12/17, Indian Super League | The Kerala Blasters then ended the year with another 'Southern Derby" match against new expansion side [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]] at the Nehru Stadium. Meulensteen made several changes from the previous match against Chennaiyin, including dropping goalkeeper [[Paul Rachubka]] to the bench for Indian goalkeeper [[Subhasish Roy Chowdhury]]. [[Samuel Shadap]] also started at right back as replacement for the injured [[Rino Anto]]. C.K. Vineeth, who had been on form in the lead up to this match, was also dropped with no reason given and replaced with [[Iain Hume]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Zenith|first=Nived|date=2017-12-31|title=ISL 2017, Match 36: Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC, Player Ratings|url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-match-36-kerala-blasters-vs-bengaluru-fc-player-ratings|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201121132508/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-match-36-kerala-blasters-vs-bengaluru-fc-player-ratings|archive-date=21 November 2020|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.sportskeeda.com|language=en-us}}</ref> During the match, the Blasters managed to hold Bengaluru at 0–0 going into halftime. However, in the 60th minute, Blasters captain [[Sandesh Jhingan]] handled the ball in the penalty box after a cross from [[Udanta Singh]]. Bengaluru's [[Sunil Chhetri]] converted the ensuing penalty to give the away side the lead.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Miku's brace and Chhetri's penalty give Bengaluru bragging rights|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/mikus-brace-and-chhetris-penalty-give-bengaluru-bragging-rights|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118060341/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/mikus-brace-and-chhetris-penalty-give-bengaluru-bragging-rights|archive-date=18 November 2020|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Indian Super League|language=en}}</ref> The Kerala Blasters proceeded to try to find the equalizer but three minutes into stoppage time [[Miku (footballer)|Miku]] found the net for Bengaluru to increase their lead and then he did it again only a minute later to make it 3–0. Despite the two late goals, [[Courage Pekuson]] managed to find time to grab a consolation goal for the Blasters in the 96th minute as they fell to their second defeat of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kerala Blasters v Bengaluru Match Report, 31/12/17, Indian Super League|url=https://www.goal.com/en-in/match/kerala-blasters-v-bengaluru/eou4ervxdof4b2of8kux7sb56|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730171544/https://www.goal.com/en-in/match/kerala-blasters-v-bengaluru/eou4ervxdof4b2of8kux7sb56|archive-date=30 July 2018|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> | ||
After the match, on 3 January 2018, it was announced that Meulensteen had been relieved of his duties as head coach of the club.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-02|title=ISL side Kerala Blasters FC confirm parting of ways with Rene Meulensteen|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-side-kerala-blasters-fc-confirm-parting-of-ways-with-rene-meulensteen/story-ZGW9xVpaIIwoIkaHNh2vxI.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030203742/https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-side-kerala-blasters-fc-confirm-parting-of-ways-with-rene-meulensteen/story-ZGW9xVpaIIwoIkaHNh2vxI.html|archive-date= | After the match, on 3 January 2018, it was announced that Meulensteen had been relieved of his duties as head coach of the club.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-02|title=ISL side Kerala Blasters FC confirm parting of ways with Rene Meulensteen|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-side-kerala-blasters-fc-confirm-parting-of-ways-with-rene-meulensteen/story-ZGW9xVpaIIwoIkaHNh2vxI.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030203742/https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-side-kerala-blasters-fc-confirm-parting-of-ways-with-rene-meulensteen/story-ZGW9xVpaIIwoIkaHNh2vxI.html|archive-date=30 October 2020|access-date=2021-07-01|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> That same day, the Kerala Blasters announced that [[David James (footballer, born 1970)|David James]], the club's head coach during the [[2014 Kerala Blasters season|2014 season]], would return to the club.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 3, 2018|first=James|last=Kilpatrick|title=David James becomes head coach of ISL side Kerala Blasters|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/david-james-becomes-head-coach-isl-side-kerala-blasters|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201120060337/https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/david-james-becomes-head-coach-isl-side-kerala-blasters|archive-date=20 November 2020|access-date=2021-07-01|website=fourfourtwo.com|language=en}}</ref> Also on that day, the club announced the signing of their eighth foreigner, midfielder [[Kizito Keziron]] from [[A.F.C. Leopards|Leopards]] in Kenya.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ISL 2017-18: 'He is the 'dude'!' - Keziron Kizito fulfilling his dream at Kerala Blasters|url=https://www.goal.com/en/news/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-keziron-kizito/56kltu48p96u1cd4suikohi49|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701173022/https://www.goal.com/en/news/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-keziron-kizito/56kltu48p96u1cd4suikohi49|archive-date=2021-07-01|access-date=2021-07-01|website=www.goal.com}}</ref> | ||
James' first match in charge of the Kerala Blasters was against second place [[FC Pune City|Pune City]] on 4 January 2018. His tenure in charge did not start well as the club found themselves 1–0 down at halftime through a [[Marcelo Leite Pereira|Marcelinho]] goal. However, during the second half of the match, the Blasters came alive with James bringing on new signing [[Kizito Keziron]] after the halftime interval and the Ugandan contributed to what would be the equalizer for the Kerala Blasters. He sent a through-ball over to [[Courage Pekuson]] who then squared the ball into the middle for [[Mark Sifneos]] to slot it home in the 73rd minute.<ref name="Pune Home">{{cite news|title=Marcelinho, Sifneos on target as Pune hold Kerala at home|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/marcelinho-sifneos-on-target-as-pune-hold-kerala-at-home|accessdate=4 January 2018|work=Indian Super League|date=4 January 2018|archive-date=5 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105060511/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/marcelinho-sifneos-on-target-as-pune-hold-kerala-at-home|url-status=live}}</ref> The match would go on to end 1–1.<ref name="Pune Home"/> | James' first match in charge of the Kerala Blasters was against second place [[FC Pune City|Pune City]] on 4 January 2018. His tenure in charge did not start well as the club found themselves 1–0 down at halftime through a [[Marcelo Leite Pereira|Marcelinho]] goal. However, during the second half of the match, the Blasters came alive with James bringing on new signing [[Kizito Keziron]] after the halftime interval and the Ugandan contributed to what would be the equalizer for the Kerala Blasters. He sent a through-ball over to [[Courage Pekuson]] who then squared the ball into the middle for [[Mark Sifneos]] to slot it home in the 73rd minute.<ref name="Pune Home">{{cite news|title=Marcelinho, Sifneos on target as Pune hold Kerala at home|url=https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/marcelinho-sifneos-on-target-as-pune-hold-kerala-at-home|accessdate=4 January 2018|work=Indian Super League|date=4 January 2018|archive-date=5 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180105060511/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/marcelinho-sifneos-on-target-as-pune-hold-kerala-at-home|url-status=live}}</ref> The match would go on to end 1–1.<ref name="Pune Home"/> | ||
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After the match against Pune City, the Kerala Blasters started a three match run away from home. Their first match occurred on 10 January 2018 against last placed [[Delhi Dynamos FC|Delhi Dynamos]]. [[Iain Hume]] opened the scoring for the Blasters in the 12th minute when he put in a squared ball from [[Courage Pekuson]]. Then, right before halftime, Delhi found an equalizer through fullback [[Pritam Kotal]]. Hume then scored his second of the night in the 78th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 83rd minute when he outmuscled and outpaced Delhi defender [[Rowilson Rodrigues]] and chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. The match finished 3–1 to the Kerala Blasters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kerala Blasters on fire as Iain Hume hat-trick sinks Delhi Dynamos 3-1|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/indian-super-league-2017-18/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-on-fire-as-iain-hume-hat-trick-sinks-delhi-dynamos-3-1-5019557/|accessdate=18 January 2018|work=Indian Express|date=10 January 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118060851/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/indian-super-league-2017-18/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-on-fire-as-iain-hume-hat-trick-sinks-delhi-dynamos-3-1-5019557/|url-status=live}}</ref> The team then extended their winning run to two, after securing a 1–0 victory in their match away to [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]] on 14 January 2018. Iain Hume was once again the lone scorer for the Blasters as the Canadian found the net in the 23rd minute.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iain Hume strikes again as Kerala Blasters FC pip Mumbai City FC|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-iain-hume-strikes-again-as-kerala-blasters-fc-pip-mumbai-city-fc/story-AfVoGaWFFrE8HZika4qNBM.html|accessdate=18 January 2018|work=Hindustan Times|date=15 January 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118120252/http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-iain-hume-strikes-again-as-kerala-blasters-fc-pip-mumbai-city-fc/story-AfVoGaWFFrE8HZika4qNBM.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | After the match against Pune City, the Kerala Blasters started a three match run away from home. Their first match occurred on 10 January 2018 against last placed [[Delhi Dynamos FC|Delhi Dynamos]]. [[Iain Hume]] opened the scoring for the Blasters in the 12th minute when he put in a squared ball from [[Courage Pekuson]]. Then, right before halftime, Delhi found an equalizer through fullback [[Pritam Kotal]]. Hume then scored his second of the night in the 78th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 83rd minute when he outmuscled and outpaced Delhi defender [[Rowilson Rodrigues]] and chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. The match finished 3–1 to the Kerala Blasters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kerala Blasters on fire as Iain Hume hat-trick sinks Delhi Dynamos 3-1|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/indian-super-league-2017-18/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-on-fire-as-iain-hume-hat-trick-sinks-delhi-dynamos-3-1-5019557/|accessdate=18 January 2018|work=Indian Express|date=10 January 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118060851/http://indianexpress.com/article/sports/football/indian-super-league-2017-18/isl-2017-18-kerala-blasters-on-fire-as-iain-hume-hat-trick-sinks-delhi-dynamos-3-1-5019557/|url-status=live}}</ref> The team then extended their winning run to two, after securing a 1–0 victory in their match away to [[Mumbai City FC|Mumbai City]] on 14 January 2018. Iain Hume was once again the lone scorer for the Blasters as the Canadian found the net in the 23rd minute.<ref>{{cite news|title=Iain Hume strikes again as Kerala Blasters FC pip Mumbai City FC|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-iain-hume-strikes-again-as-kerala-blasters-fc-pip-mumbai-city-fc/story-AfVoGaWFFrE8HZika4qNBM.html|accessdate=18 January 2018|work=Hindustan Times|date=15 January 2018|archive-date=18 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180118120252/http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-iain-hume-strikes-again-as-kerala-blasters-fc-pip-mumbai-city-fc/story-AfVoGaWFFrE8HZika4qNBM.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
Three days later, the Kerala Blasters played their final of three straight away matches against [[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]]. [[Paul Rachubka]] returned to the starting line-up while [[C.K. Vineeth]] also returned from injury. Despite the changes, the Kerala Blasters fell 2–1 to the new expansion side from [[Jharkhand]]. [[Jerry Mawihmingthanga]] opened the scoring for Jamshedpur in the very first minute when he converted what was a scuffed shot from teammate [[Ashim Biswas]]. Biswas then found the net himself 30 minutes later to extend Jamshedpur's lead. [[Mark Sifneos]] found a consolation goal for the Blasters three minutes into second half stoppage time but it was too late to save the match.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jamshedpur FC vs Kerala Blasters: Hosts end visitors' unbeaten run|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/indian-super-league-2017-18-live-football-score-and-updates-jamshedpur-fc-vs-kerala-blasters-hosts-look-to-end-visitors-unbeaten-run-4307401.html|accessdate=18 January 2018|work=FirstPost|date=17 January 2018|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117203956/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/indian-super-league-2017-18-live-football-score-and-updates-jamshedpur-fc-vs-kerala-blasters-hosts-look-to-end-visitors-unbeaten-run-4307401.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | Three days later, the Kerala Blasters played their final of three straight away matches against [[Jamshedpur FC|Jamshedpur]]. [[Paul Rachubka]] returned to the starting line-up while [[C.K. Vineeth]] also returned from injury. Despite the changes, the Kerala Blasters fell 2–1 to the new expansion side from [[Jharkhand]]. [[Jerry Mawihmingthanga]] opened the scoring for Jamshedpur in the very first minute when he converted what was a scuffed shot from teammate [[Ashim Biswas (footballer)|Ashim Biswas]]. Biswas then found the net himself 30 minutes later to extend Jamshedpur's lead. [[Mark Sifneos]] found a consolation goal for the Blasters three minutes into second half stoppage time but it was too late to save the match.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jamshedpur FC vs Kerala Blasters: Hosts end visitors' unbeaten run|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/indian-super-league-2017-18-live-football-score-and-updates-jamshedpur-fc-vs-kerala-blasters-hosts-look-to-end-visitors-unbeaten-run-4307401.html|accessdate=18 January 2018|work=FirstPost|date=17 January 2018|archive-date=17 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117203956/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/indian-super-league-2017-18-live-football-score-and-updates-jamshedpur-fc-vs-kerala-blasters-hosts-look-to-end-visitors-unbeaten-run-4307401.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The Kerala Blasters returned home with a match against [[FC Goa|Goa]] on 21 January. David James decided to go with only four foreigners on the pitch for Kerala and it proved a bad choice only seven minutes into the match as [[Ferran Corominas|Coro]] found the net. However, 22 minutes later, [[C.K. Vineeth]] managed to find Kerala's equalizer after he exploited the space left by the Goan defenders in the middle. Despite that though, Goa once again took the lead in the 77th minute when [[Edu Bedia]] won the game for Goa, 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Blasters 1-2 Goa|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/01/21/india/indian-super-league/kerala-blasters/india-fc-goa/2597797/|website=Soccerway|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122235043/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/01/21/india/indian-super-league/kerala-blasters/india-fc-goa/2597797/|url-status=live}}</ref> | The Kerala Blasters returned home with a match against [[FC Goa|Goa]] on 21 January. David James decided to go with only four foreigners on the pitch for Kerala and it proved a bad choice only seven minutes into the match as [[Ferran Corominas|Coro]] found the net. However, 22 minutes later, [[C.K. Vineeth]] managed to find Kerala's equalizer after he exploited the space left by the Goan defenders in the middle. Despite that though, Goa once again took the lead in the 77th minute when [[Edu Bedia]] won the game for Goa, 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kerala Blasters 1-2 Goa|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/01/21/india/indian-super-league/kerala-blasters/india-fc-goa/2597797/|website=Soccerway|access-date=22 January 2018|archive-date=22 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180122235043/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/01/21/india/indian-super-league/kerala-blasters/india-fc-goa/2597797/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
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On 27 January 2018, the Kerala Blasters took on bottom-placed [[Delhi Dynamos FC|Delhi Dynamos]] at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Coming into the match, the Blasters had released Dutch striker [[Mark Sifneos]] and signed former [[Iceland national football team|Iceland international]] [[Guðjón Baldvinsson]] as a replacement.<ref name="Guo">{{cite web|title=Guðjón Baldvinsson to Kerala Blasters|url=https://twitter.com/KeralaBlasters/status/956792204978044929|website=Kerala Blasters FC (Twitter)|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=1 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701172711/https://twitter.com/KeralaBlasters/status/956792204978044929|url-status=live}}</ref> David James once again sent out a side that played less than the 5 max foreigners allowed in the starting 11, with three taking the field. [[Kalu Uche]] gave the Delhi Dynamos the lead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute after [[Prasanth Karuthadathkuni]] brought Dynamos' [[Seityasen Singh]] down in the box. At halftime, James took off [[Karan Sawhney]] and brought on 19-year old [[Deependra Negi]] for his professional debut and three minutes into the second half the former [[India national under-17 football team|India U17]] captain scored the equalizer for the Kerala Blasters from a corner. Negi then contributed to the Blasters' second goal when he drew a penalty while running into the box. Iain Hume scored the ensuing spot kick as the Kerala Blasters went on to win 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|title=Deependra Singh Negi gives Kerala Blasters crucial win vs Delhi Dynamos FC|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-2018-deependra-singh-negi-gives-kerala-blasters-crucial-win-vs-delhi-dynamos-fc/story-iehgK6ZVBkT5nD7Gtb07xK.html|accessdate=27 January 2018|work=Hindustan Times|date=27 January 2018|archive-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127174135/https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-2018-deependra-singh-negi-gives-kerala-blasters-crucial-win-vs-delhi-dynamos-fc/story-iehgK6ZVBkT5nD7Gtb07xK.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | On 27 January 2018, the Kerala Blasters took on bottom-placed [[Delhi Dynamos FC|Delhi Dynamos]] at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Coming into the match, the Blasters had released Dutch striker [[Mark Sifneos]] and signed former [[Iceland national football team|Iceland international]] [[Guðjón Baldvinsson]] as a replacement.<ref name="Guo">{{cite web|title=Guðjón Baldvinsson to Kerala Blasters|url=https://twitter.com/KeralaBlasters/status/956792204978044929|website=Kerala Blasters FC (Twitter)|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-date=1 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701172711/https://twitter.com/KeralaBlasters/status/956792204978044929|url-status=live}}</ref> David James once again sent out a side that played less than the 5 max foreigners allowed in the starting 11, with three taking the field. [[Kalu Uche]] gave the Delhi Dynamos the lead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute after [[Prasanth Karuthadathkuni]] brought Dynamos' [[Seityasen Singh]] down in the box. At halftime, James took off [[Karan Sawhney]] and brought on 19-year old [[Deependra Negi]] for his professional debut and three minutes into the second half the former [[India national under-17 football team|India U17]] captain scored the equalizer for the Kerala Blasters from a corner. Negi then contributed to the Blasters' second goal when he drew a penalty while running into the box. Iain Hume scored the ensuing spot kick as the Kerala Blasters went on to win 2–1.<ref>{{cite news|title=Deependra Singh Negi gives Kerala Blasters crucial win vs Delhi Dynamos FC|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-2018-deependra-singh-negi-gives-kerala-blasters-crucial-win-vs-delhi-dynamos-fc/story-iehgK6ZVBkT5nD7Gtb07xK.html|accessdate=27 January 2018|work=Hindustan Times|date=27 January 2018|archive-date=27 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180127174135/https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-2018-deependra-singh-negi-gives-kerala-blasters-crucial-win-vs-delhi-dynamos-fc/story-iehgK6ZVBkT5nD7Gtb07xK.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
On 2 February 2018, the Kerala Blasters played their first match of the last full month of the season against [[FC Pune City|Pune City]] at the | On 2 February 2018, the Kerala Blasters played their first match of the last full month of the season against [[FC Pune City|Pune City]] at the Balewadi Stadium. Despite having the most chances in the first half, it took until the 58th minute for the Blasters to take the lead through [[Jackichand Singh]]. [[Emiliano Alfaro]] then equalized for Pune City in the 78th minute before [[C.K. Vineeth]] found the winner for the Kerala Blasters three minutes into stoppage time for them to win 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pune City 1-2 Kerala Blasters|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/02/india/indian-super-league/pune-city/kerala-blasters/2597806/?ICID=PL_MS_08|website=Soccerway|access-date=2 February 2018|archive-date=3 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180203064620/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/02/india/indian-super-league/pune-city/kerala-blasters/2597806/?ICID=PL_MS_08|url-status=live}}</ref> Six days later, the club traveled to Kolkata to take on [[ATK (football club)|ATK]]. Despite [[Guðjón Baldvinsson]] and [[Dimitar Berbatov]] scoring their first goals for the club, both times giving the team the lead, the Blasters conceded twice to draw the match 2–2.<ref>{{cite web|title=ATK 2-2 Kerala Blasters|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/08/india/indian-super-league/atletico-de-kolkata/kerala-blasters/2597744/|website=Soccerway|access-date=16 February 2018|archive-date=16 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216205152/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/08/india/indian-super-league/atletico-de-kolkata/kerala-blasters/2597744/|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The Kerala Blasters then ended their three game away run with a victory against [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]] on 17 February 2018 at the [[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]. [[Wes Brown]] scored the winner for the club in the 28th minute to keep the Blasters hopes of qualification alive.<ref>{{cite web|title=NorthEast United 0-1 Kerala Blasters|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/17/india/indian-super-league/northeast-united/kerala-blasters/2597819/|website=Soccerway|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218041011/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/17/india/indian-super-league/northeast-united/kerala-blasters/2597819/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 February, the Blasters played their final home match of the season against Southern rivals [[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]]. Neither side could find the net in the 0–0 draw as the Blasters' chance of qualification for the finals suffered a massive blow.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chennaiyin FC inch closer to semi-final spot after holding Kerala Blasters to goalless draw|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-chennaiyin-fc-inch-closer-to-semi-final-spot-after-holding-kerala-blasters-to-goalless-draw-4364729.html|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=FirstPost|date=24 February 2018|archive-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313095553/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-chennaiyin-fc-inch-closer-to-semi-final-spot-after-holding-kerala-blasters-to-goalless-draw-4364729.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | The Kerala Blasters then ended their three-game away run with a victory against [[NorthEast United FC|NorthEast United]] on 17 February 2018 at the [[Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium]]. [[Wes Brown]] scored the winner for the club in the 28th minute to keep the Blasters hopes of qualification alive.<ref>{{cite web|title=NorthEast United 0-1 Kerala Blasters|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/17/india/indian-super-league/northeast-united/kerala-blasters/2597819/|website=Soccerway|access-date=17 February 2018|archive-date=18 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218041011/https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2018/02/17/india/indian-super-league/northeast-united/kerala-blasters/2597819/|url-status=live}}</ref> On 23 February, the Blasters played their final home match of the season against Southern rivals [[Chennaiyin FC|Chennaiyin]]. Neither side could find the net in the 0–0 draw as the Blasters' chance of qualification for the finals suffered a massive blow.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chennaiyin FC inch closer to semi-final spot after holding Kerala Blasters to goalless draw|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-chennaiyin-fc-inch-closer-to-semi-final-spot-after-holding-kerala-blasters-to-goalless-draw-4364729.html|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=FirstPost|date=24 February 2018|archive-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313095553/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-chennaiyin-fc-inch-closer-to-semi-final-spot-after-holding-kerala-blasters-to-goalless-draw-4364729.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The Blasters then ended their season on 1 March 2018 away from home against [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]. Despite managing to hold on throughout the match, Bengaluru managed to come out as 2–0 winners with stoppage time goals coming from [[Miku (footballer)|Miku]] and [[Udanta Singh]]. This meant that the Blasters had failed to qualify for the finals for the second time in their history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bengaluru FC end Kerala Blasters' semi-final hopes with two late goals|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-bengaluru-fc-end-kerala-blasters-semi-final-hopes-with-two-late-goals-4372769.html|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=FirstPost|date=1 March 2018|archive-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313095509/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-bengaluru-fc-end-kerala-blasters-semi-final-hopes-with-two-late-goals-4372769.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | The Blasters then ended their season on 1 March 2018 away from home against [[Bengaluru FC|Bengaluru]]. Despite managing to hold on throughout the match, Bengaluru managed to come out as 2–0 winners with stoppage time goals coming from [[Miku (footballer)|Miku]] and [[Udanta Singh]]. This meant that the Blasters had failed to qualify for the finals for the second time in their history.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bengaluru FC end Kerala Blasters' semi-final hopes with two late goals|url=http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-bengaluru-fc-end-kerala-blasters-semi-final-hopes-with-two-late-goals-4372769.html|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=FirstPost|date=1 March 2018|archive-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313095509/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/isl-2017-18-bengaluru-fc-end-kerala-blasters-semi-final-hopes-with-two-late-goals-4372769.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
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|report = [https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/jerry-biswas-combine-to-secure-jamshedpurs-first-win-at-home Report] | |report = [https://www.indiansuperleague.com/news/jerry-biswas-combine-to-secure-jamshedpurs-first-win-at-home Report] | ||
|team2 = [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] | |team2 = [[Kerala Blasters FC|Kerala Blasters]] | ||
|goals1 = [[Jerry Mawihmingthanga|Mawihmingthanga]] {{goal|1}}<br/>[[Ashim Biswas|Biswas]] {{goal|31}} | |goals1 = [[Jerry Mawihmingthanga|Mawihmingthanga]] {{goal|1}}<br/>[[Ashim Biswas (footballer)|Biswas]] {{goal|31}} | ||
|goals2 = [[Mark Sifneos|Sifneos]] {{goal|90+3}} | |goals2 = [[Mark Sifneos|Sifneos]] {{goal|90+3}} | ||
|stadium = [[JRD Tata Sports Complex]] | |stadium = [[JRD Tata Sports Complex]] | ||
| Line 562: | Line 562: | ||
|goals1 = [[Emiliano Alfaro|Alfaro]] {{goal|78|pen}} | |goals1 = [[Emiliano Alfaro|Alfaro]] {{goal|78|pen}} | ||
|goals2 = [[Jackichand Singh|J. Singh]] {{goal|58}}<br/>[[C.K. Vineeth|Vineeth]] {{goal|90+3}} | |goals2 = [[Jackichand Singh|J. Singh]] {{goal|58}}<br/>[[C.K. Vineeth|Vineeth]] {{goal|90+3}} | ||
|stadium = | |stadium = Balewadi Stadium | ||
|location = [[Pune]] | |location = [[Pune]] | ||
|attendance = 9,463 | |attendance = 9,463 | ||
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===Table=== | ===Table=== | ||
{{:2017–18 Indian Super League | {{:2017–18 Indian Super League|showteam=KER}} | ||
===Results summary=== | ===Results summary=== | ||
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{{main|2018 Indian Super Cup}} | {{main|2018 Indian Super Cup}} | ||
The Super Cup is a [[Single-elimination tournament|knockout]] [[association football|football]] competition in India. The [[2018 Indian Super Cup|2018 edition]] was | The Super Cup is a [[Single-elimination tournament|knockout]] [[association football|football]] competition in India. The [[2018 Indian Super Cup|2018 edition]] was the first ever tournament. The competition only featured teams from both the [[Indian Super League]] and the [[I-League]], India's two top-tier football leagues.<ref name="TOI">{{cite news|title=Inaugural Super Cup's final round from Mar 31-Apr 22: AIFF|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/inaugural-super-cups-final-round-from-mar-31-apr-22-aiff/articleshow/62985550.cms|accessdate=22 February 2018|work=Times of India|date=19 February 2018|archive-date=20 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220143616/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/inaugural-super-cups-final-round-from-mar-31-apr-22-aiff/articleshow/62985550.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> As the Kerala Blasters finished in sixth place during the [[2017–18 Indian Super League|2017–18 ISL season]], they entered the main competition directly which was hosted at the [[Kalinga Stadium]] in [[Bhubaneswar]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Final round of Super Cup to start from March 31|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/final-round-of-super-cup-to-start-from-march-31-118031201074_1.html|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=Business Standard|date=12 March 2018|archive-date=12 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312183504/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/final-round-of-super-cup-to-start-from-march-31-118031201074_1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
The Kerala Blasters were drawn to face [[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]] on 6 April 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ganguly|first1=Abhishek|title=Mohun Bagan face either Delhi Dynamos or Churchill Brothers in Super Cup|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/mohun-bagan-face-either-delhi-dynamos-or-churchill-brothers-in-super-cup/articleshow/63273618.cms|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=Times of India|date=12 March 2018|archive-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313134430/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/mohun-bagan-face-either-delhi-dynamos-or-churchill-brothers-in-super-cup/articleshow/63273618.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> NEROCA had finished 2nd in the [[2017–18 I-League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Neroca hold East Bengal, finish second in maiden I-League season|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/neroca-hold-east-bengal-finish-second-in-maiden-i-league-season/articleshow/63220157.cms|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=Times of India|date=8 March 2018|archive-date=7 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807001555/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/neroca-hold-east-bengal-finish-second-in-maiden-i-league-season/articleshow/63220157.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> | The Kerala Blasters were drawn to face [[NEROCA F.C.|NEROCA]] on 6 April 2018.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ganguly|first1=Abhishek|title=Mohun Bagan face either Delhi Dynamos or Churchill Brothers in Super Cup|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/mohun-bagan-face-either-delhi-dynamos-or-churchill-brothers-in-super-cup/articleshow/63273618.cms|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=Times of India|date=12 March 2018|archive-date=13 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313134430/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/top-stories/mohun-bagan-face-either-delhi-dynamos-or-churchill-brothers-in-super-cup/articleshow/63273618.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> NEROCA had finished 2nd in the [[2017–18 I-League]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Neroca hold East Bengal, finish second in maiden I-League season|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/neroca-hold-east-bengal-finish-second-in-maiden-i-league-season/articleshow/63220157.cms|accessdate=12 March 2018|work=Times of India|date=8 March 2018|archive-date=7 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807001555/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/i-league/neroca-hold-east-bengal-finish-second-in-maiden-i-league-season/articleshow/63220157.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> | ||
| Line 679: | Line 679: | ||
! colspan="4"|Total | ! colspan="4"|Total | ||
|- | |- | ||
! {{abbr|GP|Games | ! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|G|Goals}} !![[File:Yellow card.svg|13px|Booked|alt=A yellow rectangular card]] !![[File:Red card.svg|13px|Sent off|alt=A red rectangular card]] !! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|G|Goals}} !![[File:Yellow card.svg|13px|Booked|alt=A yellow rectangular card]] !![[File:Red card.svg|13px|Sent off|alt=A red rectangular card]] !! {{abbr|GP|Games played}} !! {{abbr|G|Goals}} !![[File:Yellow card.svg|13px|Booked|alt=A yellow rectangular card]] !![[File:Red card.svg|13px|Sent off|alt=A red rectangular card]] | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 1 || GK ||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Paul Rachubka]] || 11(1) || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 ||0 || '''12(1)''' || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''0''' | | 1 || GK ||align="left"|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Paul Rachubka]] || 11(1) || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 ||0 || '''12(1)''' || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''0''' | ||
| Line 689: | Line 689: | ||
| 7 || FW ||align="left"|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Karan Sawhney]] || 2(2) || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||0 || '''2(2)''' || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''0''' | | 7 || FW ||align="left"|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Karan Sawhney]] || 2(2) || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||0 || '''2(2)''' || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''0''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 8 || MF ||align="left"|{{flagicon|IND}} [[ | | 8 || MF ||align="left"|{{flagicon|IND}} [[Arun c francis]] || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 ||0 || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''0''' || '''0''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
| 9 || FW ||align="left"|{{flagicon|BUL}} [[Dimitar Berbatov]] || 8(1) || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||0 || '''8(1)''' || '''1''' || '''1''' || '''0''' | | 9 || FW ||align="left"|{{flagicon|BUL}} [[Dimitar Berbatov]] || 8(1) || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 ||0 || '''8(1)''' || '''1''' || '''1''' || '''0''' | ||
| Line 747: | Line 747: | ||
===Goalscorers=== | ===Goalscorers=== | ||
{{updated|6 April 2018}} | {{updated|6 April 2018}} | ||
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | {|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||
|- | |- | ||
!style="width:56px;"|Rank | !style="width:56px;"|Rank | ||
!style="width:64px;"|Position | !style="width:64px;"|Position | ||
| Line 829: | Line 829: | ||
===Clean sheets=== | ===Clean sheets=== | ||
{{updated|6 April 2018}} | {{updated|6 April 2018}} | ||
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | {|class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | ||
|- | |- | ||
!style="width:56px;"|Rank | !style="width:56px;"|Rank | ||
!style="width:200px;"|Name | !style="width:200px;"|Name | ||
| Line 858: | Line 858: | ||
{{DEFAULTSORT:2017-18 Kerala Blasters FC season}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:2017-18 Kerala Blasters FC season}} | ||
[[Category:Kerala Blasters FC seasons]] | [[Category:Kerala Blasters FC seasons]] | ||
[[Category:2017–18 Indian Super League season by team|Kerala Blasters FC]] | [[Category:2017–18 Indian Super League season by team|Kerala Blasters FC]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:57, 24 March 2026
| 2017–18 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| CEO | Varun Tripuraneni | ||
| Head Coach | René Meulensteen (until 3 January 2018) David James (from 3 January 2018) | ||
| Stadium | Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi | ||
| ISL | 6th | ||
| Play-offs | DNQ | ||
| Super Cup | Round of 16 | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Iain Hume (5 goals) All: Iain Hume (5 goals) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 37,986 vs. Bengaluru (31 December 2017)[1] | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 16,796 vs. Delhi Dynamos (27 January 2018)[2] | ||
| Average home league attendance | 31,763 | ||
|
| |||
The 2017–18 season was the fourth season in Kerala Blasters FC's existence, as well as their fourth season in Indian Super League. The club finished the Indian Super League points table in the 6th place, thus missing out the play-offs. The Blasters also made their debut in the inaugural edition of Super Cup during the season, being eliminated in the first round after losing against NEROCA.
Following the departure of Steve Coppell to the new side Jamshedpur, Kerala Blasters announced the signing of René Meulensteen as their new head coach on 14 July 2017. The club also participated in the 2017–18 ISL Players Draft, bringing in Rino Anto, Milan Singh, Arata Izumi, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, and Jackichand Singh. Former Kerala Blasters forward Iain Hume rejoined the side in July while the club also signed former Manchester United players Wes Brown and Dimitar Berbatov in the lead up to the season.
After only winning one match in their first seven games, Meulensteen was relieved of his duties on 3 January 2018. David James, the Blasters head coach during the 2014 season, was brought in as the new head coach the same day.
Background[edit | edit source]
Kerala Blasters began their preparations for the 2017–18 season by bringing in former Manchester United assistant coach René Meulensteen as the club's new head coach.[3] The signing of Meulensteen came only two days after former head coach Steve Coppell announced that he would be leaving the club.[4] A couple of weeks later, on 23 July 2017, the Kerala Blasters participated in the 2017–18 ISL Players Draft. Since the club had already retained the services of Sandesh Jhingan, C.K. Vineeth, and Prasanth Karuthadathkuni, the Blasters would enter the draft in round three. For their first draft pick, the Kerala Blasters selected defender Rino Anto. Anto was already part of the Kerala Blasters the previous season, on loan from Bengaluru.[5] The club also selected India internationals, Milan Singh, Arata Izumi, Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, and Jackichand Singh. The club also selected defenders Lalruatthara and Lalthakima, both of whom won the I-League in 2016–17 with Aizawl.[6]
The next day, on 24 July, the Kerala Blasters announced their first foreign signing of the season, Canadian international and former Kerala Blasters player, Iain Hume.[7] Following the signing of Hume, the club made headlines when they signed former Manchester United defender Wes Brown on 15 August 2017, and another former Manchester United player, Dimitar Berbatov, on 24 August.[8][9] "In terms of selection of players, we were looking at him for quite sometime," said Varun Tripuraneni, the Kerala Blasters CEO, "After Rene Meulensteen came on board, it became easier to get the deal done. Berbatov has been with Rene in Manchester United, so they share a comfort level and chemistry".[10]
Just a few days prior to the start of the season, Meulensteen named Jhingan as his club captain for the season.[11]
Signings[edit | edit source]
Indian draft[edit | edit source]
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Other signings[edit | edit source]
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Pre-season[edit | edit source]
| 11 October 2017 Friendly | Kerala Blasters | 1–0 |  Athletic de Coín | Marbella |
Pekuson  59' |
Report |
| 18 October 2017 Friendly | Kerala Blasters | 1–1 | Juventud de Torremolinos | Marbella |
| Sifneos 14' |
Report |
| 23 October 2017 Friendly | Kerala Blasters | 2–0 | Real Balompédica Linense | Marbella |
| Sifneos 20'Pekuson 79' |
Report |
| 26 October 2017 Friendly | Kerala Blasters | 0–3 | Marbella | Marbella |
| Report |
| 11 November 2017 Friendly | Kerala Blasters | 0–0 |  Gokulam Kerala | Kerala |
| Report |
Indian Super League[edit | edit source]
The 2017–18 season of the Indian Super League sees 10 teams play 18 matches during the regular season; two against each other team, with one match at each club's stadium. Three points are awarded for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats. At the end of the regular season, the top four teams in the table qualify for the finals. The team in first will take on the team in fourth and the team in second will take on the team in third in two-legged ties. The winners of each tie will face off in the final at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata on 17 March 2018.[26]
The Kerala Blasters hosted ATK at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in a rematch of last season's final, on the opening day of the season. Despite the match being billed as a "high-voltage clash amid an electric atmosphere", the match ended in a 0–0 draw.[27][28] The same result would occur a week later in the Blasters' second match against the new entrants Jamshedpur.[29]
Following these two draws, René Meulensteen stressed how it important it was for the club to start scoring goals. "The most important goal to score in a season is the first one, because the moment you score the first one, it will bring confidence.”[30] The first match of December was at home against Mumbai City on 3 December. The Blasters scored their first goal of the season in the 14th minute when Mark Sifneos scored from a cross from the wing. However, in the 77th minute, Mumbai City found an equalizer through Balwant Singh and the match ended 1–1 - a third draw in a row at home.[31] After playing their first three matches of the season at home, the Kerala Blasters played their first away match of the season against Goa at the Fatorda Stadium on 9 December. A Mark Sifneos goal in the 7th minute saw the Blasters take an early lead before Manuel Lanzarote scored a brace for Goa to give the hosts a 2–1 lead. Jackichand Singh then scored an equalizer for Kerala to make it 2–2 before halftime. The second half would be different for the Kerala Blasters as they found themselves down 5–2 by the 54th minute. Coro, who had scored a hattrick the previous match for Goa against Bengaluru, grabbed another hattrick to succumb Kerala Blasters to their first defeat of the season.[32]
The club responded very well from the defeat, earning their first victory of the season in the next match on 15 December against NorthEast United. C.K. Vineeth, who returned from suspension, scored the only goal of the match in the 24th minute from a header which came from a Rino Anto cross.[33] Seven days later, the club returned to the road in the Southern derby against Chennaiyin. Despite Rene Mihelič scoring for the hosts in the 89th minute, C.K. Vineeth managed to equalize for the Kerala Blasters only five minutes later in stoppage time to give the Blasters a point.[34]
The Kerala Blasters then ended the year with another 'Southern Derby" match against new expansion side Bengaluru at the Nehru Stadium. Meulensteen made several changes from the previous match against Chennaiyin, including dropping goalkeeper Paul Rachubka to the bench for Indian goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury. Samuel Shadap also started at right back as replacement for the injured Rino Anto. C.K. Vineeth, who had been on form in the lead up to this match, was also dropped with no reason given and replaced with Iain Hume.[35] During the match, the Blasters managed to hold Bengaluru at 0–0 going into halftime. However, in the 60th minute, Blasters captain Sandesh Jhingan handled the ball in the penalty box after a cross from Udanta Singh. Bengaluru's Sunil Chhetri converted the ensuing penalty to give the away side the lead.[36] The Kerala Blasters proceeded to try to find the equalizer but three minutes into stoppage time Miku found the net for Bengaluru to increase their lead and then he did it again only a minute later to make it 3–0. Despite the two late goals, Courage Pekuson managed to find time to grab a consolation goal for the Blasters in the 96th minute as they fell to their second defeat of the season.[37]
After the match, on 3 January 2018, it was announced that Meulensteen had been relieved of his duties as head coach of the club.[38] That same day, the Kerala Blasters announced that David James, the club's head coach during the 2014 season, would return to the club.[39] Also on that day, the club announced the signing of their eighth foreigner, midfielder Kizito Keziron from Leopards in Kenya.[40]
James' first match in charge of the Kerala Blasters was against second place Pune City on 4 January 2018. His tenure in charge did not start well as the club found themselves 1–0 down at halftime through a Marcelinho goal. However, during the second half of the match, the Blasters came alive with James bringing on new signing Kizito Keziron after the halftime interval and the Ugandan contributed to what would be the equalizer for the Kerala Blasters. He sent a through-ball over to Courage Pekuson who then squared the ball into the middle for Mark Sifneos to slot it home in the 73rd minute.[41] The match would go on to end 1–1.[41]
After the match against Pune City, the Kerala Blasters started a three match run away from home. Their first match occurred on 10 January 2018 against last placed Delhi Dynamos. Iain Hume opened the scoring for the Blasters in the 12th minute when he put in a squared ball from Courage Pekuson. Then, right before halftime, Delhi found an equalizer through fullback Pritam Kotal. Hume then scored his second of the night in the 78th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 83rd minute when he outmuscled and outpaced Delhi defender Rowilson Rodrigues and chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper. The match finished 3–1 to the Kerala Blasters.[42] The team then extended their winning run to two, after securing a 1–0 victory in their match away to Mumbai City on 14 January 2018. Iain Hume was once again the lone scorer for the Blasters as the Canadian found the net in the 23rd minute.[43]
Three days later, the Kerala Blasters played their final of three straight away matches against Jamshedpur. Paul Rachubka returned to the starting line-up while C.K. Vineeth also returned from injury. Despite the changes, the Kerala Blasters fell 2–1 to the new expansion side from Jharkhand. Jerry Mawihmingthanga opened the scoring for Jamshedpur in the very first minute when he converted what was a scuffed shot from teammate Ashim Biswas. Biswas then found the net himself 30 minutes later to extend Jamshedpur's lead. Mark Sifneos found a consolation goal for the Blasters three minutes into second half stoppage time but it was too late to save the match.[44]
The Kerala Blasters returned home with a match against Goa on 21 January. David James decided to go with only four foreigners on the pitch for Kerala and it proved a bad choice only seven minutes into the match as Coro found the net. However, 22 minutes later, C.K. Vineeth managed to find Kerala's equalizer after he exploited the space left by the Goan defenders in the middle. Despite that though, Goa once again took the lead in the 77th minute when Edu Bedia won the game for Goa, 2–1.[45]
On 27 January 2018, the Kerala Blasters took on bottom-placed Delhi Dynamos at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi. Coming into the match, the Blasters had released Dutch striker Mark Sifneos and signed former Iceland international Guðjón Baldvinsson as a replacement.[46] David James once again sent out a side that played less than the 5 max foreigners allowed in the starting 11, with three taking the field. Kalu Uche gave the Delhi Dynamos the lead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute after Prasanth Karuthadathkuni brought Dynamos' Seityasen Singh down in the box. At halftime, James took off Karan Sawhney and brought on 19-year old Deependra Negi for his professional debut and three minutes into the second half the former India U17 captain scored the equalizer for the Kerala Blasters from a corner. Negi then contributed to the Blasters' second goal when he drew a penalty while running into the box. Iain Hume scored the ensuing spot kick as the Kerala Blasters went on to win 2–1.[47]
On 2 February 2018, the Kerala Blasters played their first match of the last full month of the season against Pune City at the Balewadi Stadium. Despite having the most chances in the first half, it took until the 58th minute for the Blasters to take the lead through Jackichand Singh. Emiliano Alfaro then equalized for Pune City in the 78th minute before C.K. Vineeth found the winner for the Kerala Blasters three minutes into stoppage time for them to win 2–1.[48] Six days later, the club traveled to Kolkata to take on ATK. Despite Guðjón Baldvinsson and Dimitar Berbatov scoring their first goals for the club, both times giving the team the lead, the Blasters conceded twice to draw the match 2–2.[49]
The Kerala Blasters then ended their three-game away run with a victory against NorthEast United on 17 February 2018 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium. Wes Brown scored the winner for the club in the 28th minute to keep the Blasters hopes of qualification alive.[50] On 23 February, the Blasters played their final home match of the season against Southern rivals Chennaiyin. Neither side could find the net in the 0–0 draw as the Blasters' chance of qualification for the finals suffered a massive blow.[51]
The Blasters then ended their season on 1 March 2018 away from home against Bengaluru. Despite managing to hold on throughout the match, Bengaluru managed to come out as 2–0 winners with stoppage time goals coming from Miku and Udanta Singh. This meant that the Blasters had failed to qualify for the finals for the second time in their history.[52]
| 17 November 2017 1 | Kerala Blasters | 0–0 | ATK | Kochi |
| 20:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 37,462 Referee: Aurélien Juenkou |
| 24 November 2017 2 | Kerala Blasters | 0–0 | Jamshedpur | Kochi |
| 20:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 36,752 Referee: Ranjit Bakshi |
| 3 December 2017 3 | Kerala Blasters | 1–1 | Mumbai City | Kochi |
| 20:00 IST | Sifneos 14' |
Report | B. Singh 77' |
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 35,392 Referee: R Venkatesh |
| 9 December 2017 4 | Goa | 5–2 | Kerala Blasters | Margao |
| 20:00 IST | Lanzarote 9', 18' Coro 47', 51', 54' |
Report | Sifneos 7' J. Singh 30' |
Stadium: Fatorda Stadium Attendance: 18,482 Referee: C. R. Srikrishna |
| 15 December 2017 5 | Kerala Blasters | 1–0 | NorthEast United | Kochi |
| 20:00 IST | Vineeth 24' |
Report | Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 33,868 Referee: Rowan Arumughan |
| 22 December 2017 6 | Chennaiyin | 1–1 | Kerala Blasters | Chennai |
| 20:00 IST | Vineeth 90+4' |
Report | Rene Mihelič 89' (pen.) |
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 16,754 Referee: Pranjal Banerjee |
| 31 December 2017 7 | Kerala Blasters | 1–3 | Bengaluru | Kochi |
| 17:30 IST | Pekuson 90+6' |
Report | Chhetri 60' (pen) Miku 90+3', 90+4' |
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 37,986 Referee: R Venkatesh |
| 4 January 2018 8 | Kerala Blasters | 1–1 | Pune City | Kochi |
| 20:00 IST | Sifneos 73' |
Report | Marcelinho 33' |
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 26,586 Referee: R. Venkatesh |
| 10 January 2018 9 | Delhi Dynamos | 1–3 | Kerala Blasters | Delhi |
| 20:00 IST | Kotal 44' |
Report | Hume 12', 78', 83' |
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 10,132 Referee: Tejas Nagvenkar |
| 14 January 2018 10 | Mumbai City | 0–1 | Kerala Blasters | Mumbai |
| 17:30 IST | Report | Hume 23' |
Stadium: Mumbai Football Arena Attendance: 8,597 Referee: Pranjal Banerjee |
| 17 January 2018 11 | Jamshedpur | 2–1 | Kerala Blasters | Jamshedpur |
| 20:00 IST | Mawihmingthanga 1' Biswas 31' |
Report | Sifneos 90+3' |
Stadium: JRD Tata Sports Complex Attendance: 21,240 Referee: Raul Gupta |
| 21 January 2018 12 | Kerala Blasters | 1–2 | Goa | Kochi |
| 20:00 IST | Vineeth 29' |
Report | Coro 7' Bedia 77' |
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 29,769 Referee: Raul Gupta |
| 27 January 2018 13 | Kerala Blasters | 2–1 | Delhi Dynamos | Kochi |
| 20:00 IST | Negi 48' Hume 75' (pen) |
Report | Uche 35' (pen) |
Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 16,796 Referee: Ranjit Bakshi |
| 2 February 2018 14 | Pune City | 1–2 | Kerala Blasters | Pune |
| 20:00 IST | Alfaro 78' (pen) |
Report | J. Singh 58' Vineeth 90+3' |
Stadium: Balewadi Stadium Attendance: 9,463 Referee: Pranjal Banerjee |
| 9 February 2018 15 | ATK | 2–2 | Kerala Blasters | Kolkata |
| 20:00 IST | Taylor 38' Thorpe 75' |
Report | Baldvinsson 33' Berbatov 55' |
Stadium: Salt Lake Stadium Attendance: 4,292 Referee: R Venkatesh |
| 17 February 2018 16 | NorthEast United | 0–1 | Kerala Blasters | Guwahati |
| 20:00 IST | Report | Brown 28' |
Stadium: Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium Attendance: 1,212 Referee: Tejas Nagvenkar |
| 23 February 2018 17 | Kerala Blasters | 0–0 | Chennaiyin | Kochi |
| 20:00 IST | Report | Stadium: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Attendance: 31,259 Referee: Matthew Conger |
| 1 March 2018 18 | Bengaluru | 2–0 | Kerala Blasters | Bangalore |
| 20:00 IST | Miku 90+1' U. Singh 90+3' |
Report | Stadium: Sree Kanteerava Stadium Attendance: 25,373 Referee: Pranjal Banerjee |
Table[edit | edit source]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Pune City | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 30 | 21 | +9 | 30 | Qualification for ISL play-offs |
| 5 | Jamshedpur | 18 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 16 | 18 | −2 | 26 | |
| 6 | Kerala Blasters | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 22 | −2 | 25 | |
| 7 | Mumbai City | 18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 25 | 29 | −4 | 23 | |
| 8 | Delhi Dynamos | 18 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 27 | 37 | −10 | 19 |
Source: Indian Super League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play ranking; 6) drawing of lots
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head points; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) head-to-head goals scored; 5) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play ranking; 6) drawing of lots
Results summary[edit | edit source]
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 20 | 22 | Template:Fb gd | 25 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 7 | 8 | Template:Fb gd | 4 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 14 | Template:Fb gd |
Last updated: 1 March 2018.
Source: http://www.indiansuperleague.com/isl-2017/schedule-fixtures
Super Cup[edit | edit source]
The Super Cup is a knockout football competition in India. The 2018 edition was the first ever tournament. The competition only featured teams from both the Indian Super League and the I-League, India's two top-tier football leagues.[53] As the Kerala Blasters finished in sixth place during the 2017–18 ISL season, they entered the main competition directly which was hosted at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.[54]
The Kerala Blasters were drawn to face NEROCA on 6 April 2018.[55] NEROCA had finished 2nd in the 2017–18 I-League.[56]
After the match, the Blasters were eliminated by
losi for ng 3–2.[57] Goals for NEROCA were scored by Jean-Michel Joachim, Aryn Williams, and Felix Chidi Odili while Kerala Blasters found the net through Pulga and Prasanth Karuthadathkuni.[57]
| 6 April 2018 First round | NEROCA | 3–2 | Kerala Blasters | Bhubaneswar |
| Joachim 68' Williams 79'Odili 81' (pen.) |
Report | Pulga 11' Karuthadathkuni 49' |
Stadium: Kalinga Stadium Attendance: 1,865 Referee: Pranjal Banerjee |
Player statistics[edit | edit source]
| # | Position | Player | League | Cup | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | G |  |
 |
GP | G | |
|
GP | G | |
| |||
| 1 | GK |  Paul Rachubka |
11(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | DF |  Nemanja Lakić-Pešić |
9(3) | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10(3) | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | Wes Brown |
14 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 7 | FW | Karan Sawhney |
2(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | MF | Arun c francis |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | FW |  Dimitar Berbatov |
8(1) | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8(1) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | FW |  Iain Hume |
10(3) | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10(3) | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 11 | FW | Prasanth Karuthadathkuni |
4(6) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5(6) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 12 | MF | Milan Singh |
9(6) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10(6) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 13 | MF | C.K. Vineeth |
13 (1) | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | Loken Meitei |
1(5) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(6) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | MF | Deependra Negi |
1(2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1(3) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | FW |  Guðjón Baldvinsson |
4(2) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4(2) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | Sahal Abdul Samad |
0(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | Siam Hanghal |
6(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | MF | Jackichand Singh |
16(1) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16(1) | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | DF | Sandesh Jhingan |
17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 22 | DF | Jishnu Balakrishnan |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | DF | Pritam Kumar Singh |
0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 24 | GK | Sandip Nandy |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | GK | Sujith Sasikumar |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | GK | Subhasish Roy Chowdhury |
7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 28 | DF | Samuel Shadap |
2(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2(2) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 31 | DF | Rino Anto |
13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13(1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | DF | Lalthakima |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 36 | MF | Ajith Sivan |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 39 | DF | Lalruatthara |
17 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 85 | MF | Pulga |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 99 | MF |  Courage Pekuson |
17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Left Club Midseason | ||||||||||||||
| 29 | FW |  Mark Sifneos |
7 (5) | 4 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||
| 17 | MF |  Kizito Keziron |
3 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||
Goalscorers[edit | edit source]
- As of 6 April 2018
| Rank | Position | Name | Indian Super League | Indian Super Cup | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FW | Iain Hume
|
5 | 0 | 5 |
| 2 | FW | Mark Sifneos
|
4 | 0 | 4 |
| MF | C.K. Vineeth
|
4 | 0 | 4 | |
| 4 | MF | Jackichand Singh
|
2 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 | MF | Courage Pekuson
|
1 | 0 | 1 |
| MF | Deependra Negi
|
1 | 0 | 1 | |
| FW | Guðjón Baldvinsson
|
1 | 0 | 1 | |
| FW | Dimitar Berbatov
|
1 | 0 | 1 | |
| DF | Wes Brown
|
1 | 0 | 1 | |
| MF | Pulga
|
0 | 1 | 1 | |
| FW | Prasanth Karuthadathkuni
|
0 | 1 | 1 |
Clean sheets[edit | edit source]
- As of 6 April 2018
| Rank | Name | Indian Super League | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Rachubka
|
5 | 5 |
| 2 | Subhasish Roy Chowdhury
|
1 | 1 |
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Kerala Blasters 1-3 Bengaluru". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 31 December 2017.
- ↑ "Kerala Blasters 2-1 Delhi Dynamos". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 29 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ↑ Bharali, Abhijit (14 July 2017). "ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters name Rene Meulensteen as head coach". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ Bharali, Abhijit (12 July 2017). "ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters confirm Steve Coppell's exit". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "200 plus Indian Players Vie for Ten ISL Clubs selection". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017 player draft, as it happened: ATK, Jamshedpur FC and Pune strike big". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 14 February 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ Tennyson, Rayson P. (24 July 2017). "Iain Hume: ISL: Kerala Blasters sign Iain Hume". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "Former Manchester United defender Brown makes India move". ITV News. 15 August 2017. Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "Dimitar Berbatov signed by Kerala Blasters". ESPN.com. 23 August 2017. Archived from the original on 19 August 2019. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "A big catch: Kerala Blasters sign former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov". Scroll.in. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "Kerala Blasters' Rene Meulensteen - Sandesh Jhingan And Nemanja Lakic-pesic Were Outstanding". Goal.com. 17 November 2017. Archived from the original on 21 November 2017. Retrieved 23 November 2017.
- ↑ Bharali, Abhijit (9 July 2017). "ISL 2017: 5 foreign players who could join Kerala Blasters". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters sign Ghanaian attacking midfielder Courage Pekuson". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters sign Serbian defender Nemanja Lakic-Pesic". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 17 June 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "Indian Super League: Kerala Blasters announce signing of former Manchester United defender Wes Brown". Firstpost. 15 August 2017. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "Manchester United connection grows at Kerala Blasters as Paul Rachubka signs". Sky Sports. Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ Tennyson, Rayson P. (21 August 2017). "indian super league: Kerala Blasters sign Dutch youngster Mark Sifneos". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 24 August 2017. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "Indian Super League: Kerala Blasters sign ex-Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov". India Today. Reuters. 23 August 2017. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017: Veteran goalkeeper Sandip Nandy seals return to Kerala Blasters". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Sahal Abdul Samad And Jishnu Balakrishnan". thefangarage.com. The Fan Garage. 29 September 2017. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ Naik, Abhishek (30 December 2017). "ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters confirm signing of Ugandan midfielder Kizito Keziron". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017-18: Kerala Blasters sign Icelandic striker Gudjon Baldvinsson". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "Pulga returns to Kerala Blasters". OnManorama. Archived from the original on 29 June 2021. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017-18: FC Goa announces signing of former Kerala Blasters FC striker Mark Sifneos". Firstpost. 26 January 2018. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017-18: Kerala Blasters bring back Victor Pulga". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 18 May 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017-18 full schedule: Here's the complete list of all the matches, venues and dates". Firstpost. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "Kerala Blasters v ATK Match Preview, 17/11/17, Indian Super League". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "Kerala Blasters v ATK Match Report, 17/11/2017, Indian Super League". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "Highlights ISL 2017, Kerala Blasters FC vs Jamshedpur FC: Both teams stay winless and goalless after 2 matches". Firstpost. 24 November 2017. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "Highlights | Kerala Blasters vs Mumbai City FC, ISL 2017-18: As it happened..." www.timesnownews.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017, Kerala Blasters vs Mumbai City: An enthralling contest ends in a 1-1 draw". The Indian Express. 3 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "FC Goa vs Kerala Blasters: Goa thrash Kerala 5-2". The Indian Express. 10 December 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters vs NorthEast United FC Post Match". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ Ramakrishnan, Amrit. "ISL: Blasters' Vineeth spoils Chennaiyin's party". Sportstar. Archived from the original on 30 November 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ Zenith, Nived (31 December 2017). "ISL 2017, Match 36: Kerala Blasters vs Bengaluru FC, Player Ratings". www.sportskeeda.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "Miku's brace and Chhetri's penalty give Bengaluru bragging rights". Indian Super League. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "Kerala Blasters v Bengaluru Match Report, 31/12/17, Indian Super League". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 30 July 2018. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "ISL side Kerala Blasters FC confirm parting of ways with Rene Meulensteen". Hindustan Times. 2 January 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ Kilpatrick, James (3 January 2018). "David James becomes head coach of ISL side Kerala Blasters". fourfourtwo.com. Archived from the original on 20 November 2020. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ "ISL 2017-18: 'He is the 'dude'!' - Keziron Kizito fulfilling his dream at Kerala Blasters". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 1 July 2021.
- ↑ 41.0 41.1 "Marcelinho, Sifneos on target as Pune hold Kerala at home". Indian Super League. 4 January 2018. Archived from the original on 5 January 2018. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ↑ "Kerala Blasters on fire as Iain Hume hat-trick sinks Delhi Dynamos 3-1". Indian Express. 10 January 2018. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ↑ "Iain Hume strikes again as Kerala Blasters FC pip Mumbai City FC". Hindustan Times. 15 January 2018. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ↑ "Jamshedpur FC vs Kerala Blasters: Hosts end visitors' unbeaten run". FirstPost. 17 January 2018. Archived from the original on 17 January 2018. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
- ↑ "Kerala Blasters 1-2 Goa". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ↑ "Guðjón Baldvinsson to Kerala Blasters". Kerala Blasters FC (Twitter). Archived from the original on 1 July 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- ↑ "Deependra Singh Negi gives Kerala Blasters crucial win vs Delhi Dynamos FC". Hindustan Times. 27 January 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2018.
- ↑ "Pune City 1-2 Kerala Blasters". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
- ↑ "ATK 2-2 Kerala Blasters". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- ↑ "NorthEast United 0-1 Kerala Blasters". Soccerway. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
- ↑ "Chennaiyin FC inch closer to semi-final spot after holding Kerala Blasters to goalless draw". FirstPost. 24 February 2018. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ↑ "Bengaluru FC end Kerala Blasters' semi-final hopes with two late goals". FirstPost. 1 March 2018. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ↑ "Inaugural Super Cup's final round from Mar 31-Apr 22: AIFF". Times of India. 19 February 2018. Archived from the original on 20 February 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2018.
- ↑ "Final round of Super Cup to start from March 31". Business Standard. 12 March 2018. Archived from the original on 12 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ↑ Ganguly, Abhishek (12 March 2018). "Mohun Bagan face either Delhi Dynamos or Churchill Brothers in Super Cup". Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 March 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ↑ "Neroca hold East Bengal, finish second in maiden I-League season". Times of India. 8 March 2018. Archived from the original on 7 August 2018. Retrieved 12 March 2018.
- ↑ 57.0 57.1 "Kerala Blasters lose to NEROCA". Super Cup. 6 April 2018. Archived from the original on 13 May 2018. Retrieved 12 May 2018.