Hyderabad, Kerala look to ride fan frenzy to Hero ISL title
A sea of yellow will welcome both Hyderabad FC and Kerala Blasters FC when the two teams donning similar colours will take the PJN Stadium in Fatorda aspiring to crown their respective seasons with a Hero Indian Super League trophy, in the final here on Sunday.
It has been a season to remember for both Hyderabad and Kerala, reaching the summit of the 2021-22 Hero ISL season on the back of some scintillating performances. Hyderabad finished second in the table with 38 points while Kerala were fourth having 34 in their kitty.
On Sunday, both outfits will get an opportunity to showcase their might in front of a packed house with fans allowed back in the stands after a gap of two years.
The tickets were sold in record time with the massive Kerala fanbase thronging Goa in numbers to watch their favourite stars in action. The buzz was no less for Hyderabad who have reached the final for the first time.
“We are very happy to be here. It was a hard season. It was challenging mentally to be in a bio-bubble for five months. Our strength is the group we have, players and staff. We all work towards the same direction,” Hyderabad head coach Manolo Marquez told journalists on the eve of the mega clash.
“We were very close last season (to qualifying for the semifinals), this time we finished second in the table.
It’s only one game and anything can happen tomorrow. We know we have a hard opponent but I am sure they think the same about us as well,” he added. Hyderabad missed the semis bus by a whisker last season under Marquez, finishing fifth.
“It’s fantastic (to play in front of fans). Football is for the fans. It is always good for players and everyone involved to have fans,” said the Spaniard when asked about fans being back in the stands. Seated beside him was skipper Joao Victor. “We prepare all season for this. Every team wants to be in the final. We have to be ready and we are ready,” he said.
In the semifinals, Hyderabad beat ATK Mohun Bagan 3-2 on aggregate over two legs, winning the first game 3-1 to then lose 0-1 in the second match. Kerala, meanwhile, edged past League Shield winners Jamshedpur 2-1 on aggregate, winning the first encounter 1-0 to then hold the Men of Steel to a 1-1 draw.
Like Hyderabad, Bartholomew Ogbeche has had a stellar season too, scoring a record 18 goals in 19 games and sitting pretty at the top of the goalscoring charts in the competition with 53 strikes to his name.
“Having the fans back is amazing. We will try to put out a good show for them,” said the Nigerian ahead of the final. Ogbeche also reserved special praise for the organisers of the Hero ISL, saying it wasn’t easy to maintain two bio-secure bubbles.
“I would like to give a lot of credit to AIFF (All India Football Federation), FSDL, Reliance Foundation for what they did last year. The bubble is something that wasn’t done before and it was a great success last season. It helped to have the experience of a bubble this season, so I feel last season was tougher,” said the 37-year old.
For Kerala, they will probably have the biggest 12th man for the final in the form of their fans who brought the roof down when the yellow army reached their third final beating Jamshedpur. Social media was filled with celebration scenes all around the state and also elsewhere and on Sunday they will make their presence felt at the Fatorda, to put it mildly.
“We came back with strength this season. We are grateful for that. We are so pleased with what we have achieved so far. We hope for the best,” said Kerala head coach Ivan Vukomanović.
Asked about fans being back in the stands, he added: “We play football for the fans. I think in the last couple of months playing without fans was weird. Now it is extra motivation for all the players. As a boy, you dream of playing in front of your local fans.”
Hyderabad and Kerala have faced each other six times so far in the Hero ISL, each winning thrice with no draws to show for. Adrian Luna is Kerala’s answer to Ogbeche with the Spaniard being a key figure in their journey so far. Although the likes of Alvaro Vazquez, Marko Leskovic and Jorge Diaz have played important parts too, Luna has been simply outstanding for Kerala scoring six goals and being involved in 13 goal contributions, only Ogbeche being more involved than Luna in this regard.
Credits: ISL Media
For Trial related updates: Latest trials updates in Mumbai Football
Also Read: Progressive Sreenidi Deccan meet Sudeva Delhi on a learning curve
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football
RFDL’s National Championship Preview: A Heated Battle as Football’s Brightest Stars Vie for Title Win in the Final Four Showdown
The National Championship of the elite U-21 youth tournament, the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) begins on May 14, Tuesday, with four teams, i.e. defending champions Bengaluru FC, Muthoot FA, East Bengal…
Punjab FC, East Bengal FC to lock horns in Reliance Foundation Development League 2023 – 24 final after emerging triumphant in semis
Bengaluru FC and Muthoot FA to fight out in the third-place playoff Mumbai, May 14: Punjab FC and East Bengal FC qualified for the final of the Reliance Foundation Development League…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…