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ABOUT THE TEAM

Kerala Blasters FC is a professional football club based in Kochi, Kerala, India. The club is one of the prominent teams in the Indian Super League (ISL), a top-tier football league in India. Here are some key points about Kerala Blasters: Formation: Kerala Blasters FC was formed in 2014 as one of the original teams in the inaugural season of the ISL. Home Stadium: The team plays its home matches at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, which has a seating capacity of over 39,000, making it one of the most passionate and iconic venues for football in India. Ownership: Kerala Blasters FC has had various ownership groups over the years. Initially, it was co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar, a cricket legend, and Prasad V. Potluri. Subsequently, the ownership structure has changed. Fan Base: The club has a passionate and dedicated fan base, often referred to as the "Manjappada" (Yellow Brigade). The fans create an electrifying atmosphere during home matches. Performance: Kerala Blasters has had its share of ups and downs in the ISL. The team has consistently been a strong contender, reaching the finals in the inaugural season but narrowly missing out on the title. They have a reputation for playing attacking and entertaining football. Rivalries: Kerala Blasters has a fierce rivalry with another ISL team, ATK Mohun Bagan (formerly ATK). Matches between these two clubs are known as the "Southern Derby" and attract a lot of attention and excitement. Players: The team has featured both domestic and international players, including some well-known footballers. The player roster has included stars like Sandesh Jhingan, Iain Hume, and more. Community Involvement: The club has been involved in community initiatives and fan engagement programs, aiming to promote football in the state of Kerala and encourage grassroots development.


TEAM MEMBERS


COACHING STAFF

  • IVAN VUKOMANOVIC Head Coach

  • WERNER MARTENS Fitness Coach

  • SLAVEN PROGOVEKI Goalkeeping Coach

  • T. G. PURUSHOTHAMAN Assistant Coach

  • FRANK DAUWEN Assistant Coach

TEAM HISTORY

Formation

In early 2014, the All India Football Federation announced the sale of eight franchises for the Indian Super League (ISL). On 13 April 2014, Sachin Tendulkar and Prasad V. Potluri won the rights to the Kochi franchise. The club was named Kerala Blasters FC on 27 May 2014. The first player signed was Mehtab Hossain, followed by seven other Indian players. David James became the head coach and marquee player on 13 August 2014. The club also selected seven foreign players in an international draft on 21 August 2014. These players included Michael Chopra, Iain Hume, Pulga, Erwin Spitzner, Pedro Gusmão, Cedric Hengbart, and Raphaël Romey, and the club signed additional foreign players.

Inaugural season

Kerala Blasters played their first game on October 13, 2014, losing 1-0 to NorthEast United, with Koke scoring in the 45th minute. Iain Hume scored their first-ever goal during the second match against Chennaiyin, but they lost 2-1. Their first win came in the fourth game against Pune City, with goals from Chinadorai Sabeeth and Penn Orji, resulting in a 2-1 victory. They hosted their first home match on November 6, 2014, beating Goa 1-0 with a goal by Milagres Gonsalves. They qualified for the playoffs on December 9, 2014, with a 1-0 victory over Pune City. In the playoffs, they won the first semi-final leg against Chennaiyin 3-0 with goals from Ishfaq Ahmed, Iain Hume, and Sushanth Mathew, and despite a scare in the second leg, they secured their spot in the final by winning 4-3 in extra time, with a decisive goal from Stephen Pearson in the 117th minute.

2015 to 2023 seasons

2015 Season: New coach and foreign players, finishing last in the league.

2016 Season: Improved performance, finishing second and reaching the finals.

2017–18 Season: Struggled, finishing sixth in the league.

2018–19 Season: Disappointing season, coach David James sacked.

2019–20 Season: Finished seventh with injury concerns.

2020–21 Season: Finished in tenth place.

2021–22 Season: Strong season, finished on top but lost in the final.

2022–23 Season: Successful league stage but eliminated dramatically in the playoffs.

PHOTO GALLERY

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