Kerala Blasters take on FC Pune City in the 29th match of the Indian Super League on Wednesday evening at the JLN Stadium in Kochi, and the home must be looking for at least a win to get their tournament back on track.
The last year's ISL finalists have not won a game after their victory in their first game of the tournament this season. And it gets all the more difficult as they face league leaders FC Pune today.
Both teams have some players who can turn out to be game changers in the match tonight. Let's take a look at some of them:
Kerala Blasters
Sanchez Watt - The former Arsenal forward made a mark after scoring in his first game of the ISL this season, but following that, he has gone somewhere in the oblivion. It will be interesting to see if new head coach Terry Phelan can bring the best out of the forward once more as the Irish coach looks forward to his first game in the ISL.
Sanchez has terrific vision, pace, and his shots on the goal have remained clinical most of the times.
Mohammed Rafi - It is only unfortunate that the Indian striker could not get in the scoresheet for his side in the previous game after scoring three goals in two matches this season. The 33-year-old Kerala forward has turned himself into a fan favourite this season, and his headed goals have remained one of the main attractions of the ISL this season.
FC Pune City
Nicky Shorey - The experienced Englishman is probably one of the most underrated players of the ISL this time, as he has remained an unsung hero for the league leaders so far. Shorey has been a key presence in the left-back position and his brilliant link-up with Roger Johnson in the back has made it hard for forwards to penetrate.
The ex-West Brom man is equally good with his set pieces.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh - It was a relief for the Indian midfield maestro to get his first goal in the ISL in the previous game itself, and that could come as a major boost for him. Lyngdoh has slowly started getting into David Platt's plans after making his return from the national team set up. And his link-up with the experienced Didier Zokora in the middle of the park has really borne fruit so far.