Kerala Blasters are currently 5th in the league, and while they haven’t guaranteed qualification yet, it almost seems imminent that they will see themselves through. But the problem is that they’ve been in this situation for a while now, gracing the 5th position and on the verge of qualification. The foundation they set for themselves has been incredibly solid, which means they can afford this slow period of matches strung with losses and draws. Even now, there isn’t anything alarming as the teams below them are incredibly far from a qualification scenario. But will this momentum lapse cost them?
One could argue that their frontman Adrian Luna had been out of action for a while, and while the hefty shoulders of Diamantakos did his best to carry the team, they will now be complete with the return of Luna and can get back to their winning ways. His first match back was a timid draw against Jamshedpur FC, which isn’t enough to judge how they will perform after his return, one thing that’s for sure is Kerala isn’t looking like the menacing team they were in the start, with lapses in their defence giving away matches that they have dominated.
Kerala Blasters have struggled profusely in the playoffs, getting themselves to the playoffs a few times but never getting their hands on the title. Their massive momentum loss here isn’t doing them any favours at all. The Blasters should look to go in as a feared team who stormed into the playoffs, rather than lose steam and trudge to a playoff spot. This is where they always find themselves in a spot of bother- the final stretch. Even if they can draw playoff games like they are right now, we all now their dismal performance in penalties, losing three finals in the same fashion.
Kerala will probably qualify in their current 5th place and will face off with either Odisha or Goa, either of which are going to be a stern test of their abilities. Kerala needs to pull their socks up and ensure these last 3 matches put them forward as a commanding opposition, or at least a team that believes they can go all the way.
