Bambolim: During a normal Indian Super League (ISL) season, this fixture would have been one of the most heated clashes in the league due to the passionate rivalry between the two sets of fans. Whether it be at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, or the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, supporters of both sides would have thronged to the stands in numbers.
But no fans will be present at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim here when Kerala Blasters take on Bengaluru FC on Wednesday. Yet, the sheer importance of the fixture for two teams desperately trying to turn their season around means that it will lack none of the edges.
Kerala will be looking to put behind them, the disappointment of conceding an injury-time equaliser to SC East Bengal. This inability to hold leads has been a recurring feature of Kerala's season so far -- they have lost ten points after scoring the first goal, the most by any team in the league.
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"Bengaluru FC is a good team, they have got good players. The circumstances are different but we are preparing for the game as we do every game, and trying to improve the offensive part of the team and the strategic dimensions," said Kerala coach Kibu Vicuna in an ISL release.