Blasters face HFC in an inconsequential game

Kochi: Kerala Blasters will take on Hyderabad FC in an inconsequential game at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on Sunday. After ATK Mohun Bagan defeated East Bengal FC 2-0 in the Kolkata Derby on Saturday, BFC and ATK Mohun Bagan have consolidated the third and fourth spots in the points table. Even if Blasters defeat Hyderabad FC on Sunday, there won't be any change in positions in the points table. A win against Hyderabad FC will mean that Blasters, ATK MB and BFC will have 34 points each. In that scenario, the head-to-head between the three teams will see Blasters finish fifth in the points table with ATK MB securing the third spot and BFC the fourth place. Kerala Blasters will face Bengaluru FC in the playoffs at Bengaluru on March 3. In nine home games so far this season, the Blasters have won seven and lost two. If they win against Hyderabad FC, they will finish the league stage with the best home record this season. After losing against Mumbai City FC at Kochi in October, they have won six consecutive games at home.“Playing in Kochi is something special. From the first moment, warming up, getting out of the tunnel for the game - it means a lot to all of us. We’ll get that kind of motivation tomorrow as well,” said Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic. “We want to be a strong unit and show there’s a reason we’re unbeaten for a long time at home. We face a strong team, our opponents from last season’s finals. They are, with reason, in the playoffs for a second year in a row, and we’ll have to be at our best if we want to get the points and enter the playoffs with a good mindset,” he added.Hyderabad FC have lost two out of their last three games. In their last match, the defending champions lost in their backyard against Jamshedpur FC with a heavily rotated squad. However, the Blasters’ stellar home record could be matched by Hyderabad FC's superb away record this season.
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