Blasters are ready for ISL, squad announced; seven Malayalis in the team

KOCHI: Kerala Blasters have announced their squad for the new season of the Indian Super League starting on October 7. There are seven Malayalis in the 27-member squad. Jessel Carneiro is the captain. KP Rahul, Sahal Abdul Samad, Srikuttan, Sachin Suresh, Nihal Sudheesh, Bijoy Varghese and Vibin Mohanan are the Malayali stars in the squad.

The team has retained 16 players from last season. The Blasters will face East Bengal FC in its first match at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi on Friday. This is the opening match of the season. Ivan Vukomanovic is the head coach. Blasters are hoping to lift the ISL trophy for the first time.