The Kerala Blasters are ready to kick off their Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season with a home match against Punjab FC at the Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. The Blasters, despite letting go of Dimitrios Diamantakos, the ISL’s top scorer last season, have showcased impressive scoring abilities in their pre-season outings in Thailand. Their Moroccan forward, Noah Sadaoui, claimed the Golden Boot in the Durand Cup, and new head coach Mikael Stahre will be looking for Sadaoui and Spaniard Jesus Nunez to continue their strong form in the season opener.
“We have been pretty solid, so we are absolutely ready, but the games in the ISL will tell us where we stand. It will be a hard game, but hopefully, we can beat them,” said Stahre. The two teams faced off in the recently concluded Durand Cup 2024, ending in a 1-1 draw, but last season Punjab secured a 3-1 victory over the Blasters in Kochi. The Blasters, led by Uruguayan star Adrian Luna, finished fifth last season, earning a spot in the ISL playoffs. Punjab, on the other hand, finished eighth and missed out on the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Punjab’s head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis believes the team’s significant changes will be evident in their performance this season. “We have a new coaching staff, new foreign and Indian players, and that is the biggest difference from last season,” said Dilmperis. “This season, we will try to better the performance from last year and qualify for the playoffs.” With both teams eager to prove their mettle, this opening clash promises to be an exciting and fiercely contested encounter. Will the Blasters start their season on a winning note, or will Punjab FC upset the home team? The stage is set for an exciting battle in Kochi.
