Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC. Starting at 8:30 pm at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode.
The fixture leapt off the screen when the draws for the 2023 Super Cup were announced. Whatever the context, the follow-up to one of the most infamous games in Indian football history would be a blockbuster one.
The names at the centre of the incident are barely the same: Sunil Chhetri and Simon Grayson remain, with three notable absentees. Crystal John, the referee at the centre of the free-kick controversy, was left out of the refereeing pool of the Super Cup by the AIFF (perhaps wisely), while Ivan Vukomanovic is serving a 10-game suspension for leading his team off the pitch. Adrian Luna, meanwhile, was granted a leave of absence by the Blasters due to familial obligations.
The format of the Super Cup and results so far have also added weight to this contest, with this almost being a must-win game for either side if they are to progress.
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What's the qualification scenario?
With only the group-winners progressing to the semifinals, all of Bengaluru FC, Kerala Blasters and Sreenidi Deccan are in with a shout of qualifying. BFC and Sreenidi played out a 1-1 draw in their opener and followed it up with 2-0 wins over RoundGlass Punjab FC and Kerala Blasters respectively, to have identical records at the top of the group. Should they be tied come the end of the third round of fixtures, drawing of lots will take place to determine the group winner.
The equation is simpler for the Blasters, who opened their campaign with a dominant 3-1 win over RGPFC -- they need Sreenidi to drop points, while also defeating BFC themselves. Bengaluru can also get away with a draw were Sreenidi to lose to RGPFC in their final fixture.
How have the teams fared?
Despite the prize of a potential AFC Cup spot, not to mention silverware (something sorely lacking from the Blasters viewpoint) -- plenty of clubs have been experimenting with lineups and offering Indian youngsters a chance.
The Blasters made seven changed in their 0-2 loss to Sreenidi but may recall Victor Mongil to the starting lineup after a disjointed performance in defence. The absence of Luna has been keenly felt, with Dimitri Diamantakos and Apostolos Giannou often left to toil alone, although Rahul KP has had his moments. Danish Farooq might make an appearance against his former side, and youngster Vibin Mohanan might be given a shot in midfield after a decent outing against RoundGlass Punjab.
Bengaluru FC have had a settled formation under Grayson, with the manager retaining his trusty 3-5-2. Roy Krishna, Chhetri and Sivasakthi Narayanan have been rotated as the front two options, although the Indian pairing might get the nod given the opposition. The Rohit Kumar-Suresh Singh-Javi Hernandez midfield ought to continue, especially after decimating the RGPFC midfield in their most recent 2-0 win. Prabir Das might return to the right-wing back spot to offer a better defensive presence than Udanta Singh, who was often caught upfield against RGPFC.
Sreenidi caused both teams their fair share of problems in defence, which will give either manager plenty of material to work with to come out on top.
How might this game play out?
The Blasters had almost pulled off a tactical masterclass in the eliminator, holding the energy of Sahal Abdul Samad in reserve to run at a tiring BFC defence. Yet, a similar scenario here is unlikely, especially after the leggy performance against Sreenidi Deccan in their previous game.
BFC also have the advantage of not having to deal with Luna floating all over the pitch -- their formation can remain constant in a mid-to-low block as they opt for their usual counter-attacking football. Yet, one cannot be certain that a moment of magic from either side could decide the game.
There's one thing that is certain though -- Kerala Blasters won't be allowing Chhetri to take any quick free-kicks this time. And yet, one would be hard-pressed to bet against Chhetri finding other ways to etch his name into the folklore of this continuing rivalry.
What would victory mean for either side?
Bragging rights in a rivalry that has been festering since the entry of BFC into the Indian Super League, for one thing.
There's also the small matter of then being two wins away from an AFC Cup playoff -- the only hope of continental football for either side. Were the Blasters to win, they'd have a semblance of vindication after having left things unfinished last time, while the BFC faithful will not shy away from rubbing it in to their vanquished opponents once more.
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Watch the #SouthernRivalry in the #HeroSuperCup 2023 live on @SonySportsNetwk and @FanCode! �� #BFCKBFC #LetsFootball #BengaluruFC #KeralaBlasters | @bengalurufc @KeralaBlasters @IndianFootball pic.twitter.com/U9KNH66OAt
- Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) April 14, 2023
Will Kozhikode be a factor?
In more ways than one. Kerala Blasters play their home games at Kochi, while their state 'rivals', Gokulam Kerala FC consider the EMS Corporation Ground their home. It's not strictly a 'home' game for the Blasters, but they can nonetheless count on their support to turn up.
The heat has been a huge factor throughout this tournament, with all players visibly fading in games late on, despite the water breaks. Given the game kicks off at 8:30pm, the heat might be mitigated a small amount, but the humidity remains awkward to deal with.
Head-to-Head
Historically, Bengaluru FC have the edge in this fixture, winning eight of the 13 games these two teams have faced, while the Blasters have won thrice and drawn twice.
One hardly needs reminding of what happened the last time they met. 1-1 after regulation time, followed by Chhetri's free-kick in extra-time to make it 2-1 in the ISL eliminator, after which the walkout happened.