ISL 2016: Sunny days could be back for Kerala this season

Had it not been for Edel Bete’s fingertips, Kerala Blasters would have celebrated a famous triumph in the inaugural edition of the Indian Super League. Kerala Blasters fought their way to the final against Atletico de Kolkata, came agonisingly close but eventually lost to a last minute goal against their Kolkata rivals.

Had everything gone according to the script, Kerala’s legion of supporters would have had plenty to celebrate. That, however, was not to be and they were left to rue their luck in the final. The next season there was another disappointment but this time, the hurt was more acute. All through the second edition, Kerala Blasters struggled to find their feet and, despite a change in coaching personnel, could only finish at the bottom of the league.

A season of redemption

For a state that takes great pride in its support for football, Kerala Blasters deserved much more than a bottom-place finish. The franchise now has new co-owners and a new coach but some things, like the English coaches since the start of the ISL, has remained unchanged.

The man at the helm of Kerala’s affairs for this season is among the most famous footballer in England. Steve Coppell needs no introduction to football lovers around the world after his stint with Manchester United and his spells with Reading and Crystal Palace helped him form a reputation as a capable manager. Whether his reputation alone can propel Kerala Blasters remains to be seen but he has made a good beginning.

The selection of Aaron Hughes as a marquee player is a step in the right direction. While many teams have opted to sign star names as marquees for the season, Kerala Blasters handpicked Aaron Hughes for their task. Aaron Hughes, many would ask, who? Kerala will not mind those questions because it is his ability on the field that should help silence all critics. Hughes is the first outfield player to reach 100 caps for Northern Ireland, he has an enviable record of almost 460 games in the Premier League and most recently he helped Northern Ireland make it to the knock-out stage of the Euro 2016 in France.

By handing former Newcastle striker Michael Chopra a chance to prove himself again in the ISL, Kerala are in a win-win situation and their confidence will be high after managing to convince French defender Cedric Hengbart to return to the club for a second stint. Cedric was a star performer in the first season for Kerala but left the club to join NorthEast United FC last season.

Kerala’s domestic signings for this season too have been impressive. The club has convinced players like Rino Anto, last year an auctioned player and star with Atletico de Kolkata, to return ‘home’ and the signing of Thongkhosiem Haokip, only second Indian to score a hat trick in the ISL, made the intent clear. Regular performers like Sandesh Jhingan, CK Vineeth and Mehtab Hossain have been retained.

Admittedly, many of Kerala’s foreign players are not popular names but Steve Coppell has faith in their abilities. He has faith in the club’s domestic signings and he surely has faith that they can only get better. On the evidence of their pre-season friendlies in Thailand, there is the sense of momentum. The connection between fans and the team will also be immediate. If only they can start dominating teams, the feel-good factor will return to Kerala.