After the international break, Kerala Blasters are all set to face Mohammedan SC in an away fixture in Kolkata.
Ahead of the match, head coach Mikael Stahre and forward Rahul KP addressed the media in Kochi, sharing their thoughts on the upcoming challenge and their preparations.
Facing a Motivated Opponent
Mohammedan SC, a team newly arrived from the I-League, has shown grit and determination, securing victories against established teams like Chennaiyin FC.
When asked about the challenge of facing a hungry team, Coach Mikael Stahre highlighted the need for humility and readiness:
“First of all, I think all games in the ISL are competitive. So we have to be humble, organized, and energetic to win this game. That’s number one. They have some hunger, and we have lots of hunger too. For me, it’s normal in football to play against a team that also wants to win. My job is to prepare the tactical aspects with my staff and pass on that energy and structure to the players. We’re on the right track, even though we haven’t won yet. Sure, we drew two away games in the previous road trip, but we are confident. We’ve been practicing well during this FIFA break and have a really good feeling. We’re looking forward to traveling to Kolkata and winning this game.”
Kerala Blasters’ Away Form
Blasters have struggled to secure a win on the road this season, despite strong performances.
Coach Stahre was candid about the team’s ambitions and the steps they’ve taken to address their away form:
“We are going to Kolkata to win. That’s crystal clear. We go for the victory every single game we play. I think we played two good games against Northeast United and Odisha. Frankly speaking, I think we deserved at least four points, maybe six. We created lots of chances and were pretty solid in our defensive play. Of course, it hurts when you’re not winning games, but we are progressing. We took points and are quite solid. I see huge progression in our team; I see more and more quality every single day. I think the fans around this massive club can feel the energy and the progress. So we are traveling to Kolkata to win. We know it won’t be a walk in the park. They will fight for their lives, and we also have to fight. But we are mentally prepared, and we will play a smart game, use our strengths, and expose their weaknesses. That’s football.”
The Clean Sheet Question
Kerala Blasters have not kept a clean sheet in 15 matches, a point that was raised during the press conference. Coach Stahre addressed the importance of clean sheets but maintained that the team’s defensive issues are not as alarming as they may seem:
“Clean sheets are important, and I love clean sheets, frankly speaking. But the most important thing is winning games. We’ve only played four games this season, and in the first, we conceded two goals. In the other games, we conceded one against Northeast United and two against Odisha. So we’re not struggling a lot with our defense. We need to improve, pay attention to details, and defend better, but we’re not in crisis. I’ve only been in charge for four ISL games, so it’s hard to focus on what happened last season. Of course, clean sheets are important, and we work every day to solve any issues we have. But I don’t think we have a problem in defense.”
Sticking with Sachin Suresh
Goalkeeper Sachin Suresh has made some high-profile mistakes recently, which led to speculation about a potential change in goalkeeping.
Coach Stahre defended his player:
“First of all, everyone makes mistakes—coaches, staff members, defenders, midfielders, strikers. It’s part of the game. The key is to avoid repeating the same mistakes over and over again. Sachin is a great goalkeeper. He’s been good for us, even coming back from an injury. So from that perspective, there won’t be any changes. It’s about practicing hard and preparing the team. We do have some injury issues, which is normal in a group of 25-30 players, but we’ll address the team two hours before the game on Sunday and see if any changes are necessary.”
Coach Mikael Stahre also touched on the team’s current injury situation, acknowledging the challenges but remaining optimistic about the squad’s depth and readiness:
“Right now, we have some normal issues with injuries. In a group of 25-30 players, you always have a few injured players. That’s our current situation at the moment. But we will address the team two hours before the game on Sunday and then see if there will be any changes or not. There are no alarming things. We’ll have a really good lineup on Sunday and a great bench, and there will be some good players staying here in Kochi to play a friendly game with the reserves. So, overall, we have a good situation in our team.”
Rahul KP on competition
Rahul KP, a senior player in the Blasters’ squad, shared his perspective on competition within the team:
“Like you mentioned, in every club, you have to fight for your position. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been in the club for six or seven years. In my opinion, whoever plays better deserves a chance to play. That’s how it should be. If I’m not playing well or not performing in training, then someone else who deserves to play should get the opportunity. Sometimes, that competition is what gives me extra motivation to push myself beyond my limits. Players can get comfortable, and sometimes you need a wake-up call. So for me, it’s simple: the team comes first, and whoever can help the team win should play.”
He also talked about the young players in the squad
“In terms of younger players looking up to me, I try to guide them. It’s a mental game, a physical game, and you have to be professional in every aspect. For the past three years, I haven’t missed a game due to injury. I’ve been suspended, but I’ve always been available. That speaks volumes because when I first arrived at the club, I had issues with injuries. But for the last three years, I’ve been available for every game. That’s because I’ve worked hard to take care of myself, and I try to pass that mindset on to the younger players—whether it’s about diet, sleep, or how to look after themselves off the field. For me, being professional is everything.”
Adrian Luna's Return
Fans were eager for updates on Adrián Luna’s availability for the upcoming match, and Stahre offered a straightforward response:
“Yes, he will play.”
With Mohammedan SC making their ISL debut and backed by a passionate home crowd, Rahul KP acknowledged the atmosphere but reaffirmed the team’s focus on winning:
“Same as all the other games, we’re just going to win. Like coach mentioned, it’s crystal clear that our motivation is to go there and win all the games, not just this one. We’ve been putting all the effort into training, and the focus is on playing our game, not on anything else.”
Coach Stahre added:
“This team is used to playing under pressure, whether at home or away. We’ve been mentally strong so far, and we’ve shown resilience. Even in Odisha, when we conceded two goals, we bounced back. We need to handle whatever comes our way, whether we score the first goal or concede it. There’s pressure everywhere, but we are ready.”
Kerala Blasters will head to Kolkata with high ambitions, aiming to secure their first away win of the season while continuing to build on their progress.
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