Peter Taylor, the new coach of the Kerala Blasters, doesn't like to talk about what happened in the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) season. The Sachin Tendulkar co-owned team suffered a heartbreaking 0-1 defeat in the dying minutes to Atletico de Kolkata in the final.
(From left) Kerala Blasters’ coach Peter Taylor along with Sandesh Jhingan and Sanchez Watt at a media event in Mumbai last week
Peter Taylor, the new coach of the Kerala Blasters, doesn't like to talk about what happened in the inaugural Indian Super League (ISL) season. The Sachin Tendulkar co-owned team suffered a heartbreaking 0-1 defeat in the dying minutes to Atletico de Kolkata in the final.
But that's now in the past, and the upcoming season presents Taylor and his boys the chance to bed the memories of losing out on Indian football's top prize after coming tantalizingly close.
"Everyone remembers the name Mohammad Rafique (who scored the winner in the 93rd minute in the final). It could have been a different story had we hung on for another two minutes. That is now past, but we've learnt how important it is to maintain concentration right till the whistle is blown. Sometimes the manner of the defeat can be a good enough motivator for a runners-up going into the new season and that's exactly the team's mindset," said Taylor, who replaced David James as manager for this season.
Former England manager Taylor, who made David Beckham captain for the first time in 2000, chose a different pre-season routine compared to the other seven teams. Being the only franchise not to train overseas, the Blasters spent their time in Thiruvananthapuram playing alongside local teams in Kerala.
Taylor and his assistant Trevor Morgan, who was part of the side last season, have opted for an English flavour this time around, having signed six Englishmen in the auction. The Blasters have roped in Carlos Marchena, former Spanish World Cup and Euro Championship winner, as their marquee signing. Hoping to gain the most out of playing with the 36-year-old will be Sandesh Jhingan, who was awarded the 'emerging player of the tournament'.
They've also added their attacking options by roping in former Bradford City and Coventry striker Chris Dagnall and the Arsenal under-18 star Sanchez Watt. Mohammed Rafi will add the much-needed Indian touch in the forward line.
As for the other Indians, Kerala have full backs Gurwinder Singh and Saumik Dey in their ranks. Midfielders Peter Carvalho and Mehtab Hossain will be responsible for pulling the strings in the heart of midfield. The most notable absentee is India fullback Nirmal Chettri who will miss the tournament due to an injury on his right knee.
The absence of Canadian Ian Hume, who has joined Atletico De Kolkata this season, and Chettri will severely dent the Blasters' strength.
KNOW YOUR TEAM
Kerala Blasters
Coach: Peter Taylor
Coach: Peter Taylor
Last season (group stage)
Played: 14
Won: 5
Won: 5
Drew: 4
Lost: 5
Lost: 5
Goals scored: 13
Goals conceded: 15
Goals conceded: 15
Top goal-scorer: Ian Hume (5)
Retained players
Foreigners: Pulga
Foreigners: Pulga
Indians: Sandip Nandy, Sandesh Jhingan, Saumik Dey, Gurwinder Singh, Ishfaq Ahmed, Mehtab Hossain
Players signed
Players signed
Foreigners: Pulga, Chris Dagnall, Joao Coimbra, Bruno Perone, Sanchez Watt, Peter Ramage, Antonio German, Josu, Marcus Williams, Stephen Bywater
Indians: Ramandeep Singh, Cavin Lobo, Shankar Sampingiraj, CK Vineeth, Manandeep Singh, Mohammed Rafi, Sumik Dey, Peter Calvalho, Shilton Paul, Rahul Bheke
Indians: Ramandeep Singh, Cavin Lobo, Shankar Sampingiraj, CK Vineeth, Manandeep Singh, Mohammed Rafi, Sumik Dey, Peter Calvalho, Shilton Paul, Rahul Bheke
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