Kerala Blasters host Mumbai City in first home match of ISL season

Kochi: Kerala Blasters will host Mumbai City at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this evening in their first home match of the MG Indian Super League 2026-27 season, looking to recover from a 4-1 defeat by NorthEast United.

The visitors are also looking for an improvement after taking one point from their opening two matches.

Blasters head coach Ashley Westwood acknowledged the defensive mistakes behind the defeat but said his team was still developing combinations and working towards a settled starting eleven after limited time together in pre-season.

He intends to maintain an attacking approach.

“We try and play intense, aggressive football. We try and get numbers forward. We try and win every game,” Westwood said.

The home opener also offers an opportunity to strengthen the team’s connection with supporters, whom Westwood urged to back the players as they develop through the season.

“You can't guarantee a result, but we can guarantee we give everything we've got,” he said.

Mumbai City head coach Manolo Márquez is looking for his side to convert performances into a first victory. Both of their goals this season have come from penalties, with creating chances from open play remaining a concern.

Forward Farukh Choudhary said the attacking players needed to make better use of their opportunities.

“The chances we create in the game, I think, as attackers, not only me, whoever is playing, I think we need to be more clinical,” he said.

Mumbai’s options are limited by injuries. Vikram Partap Singh faces an extended absence, while Wilmar Jordan Gil is expected to miss several matches with a hamstring injury.

The Kochi crowd presents another challenge for the visitors. Márquez welcomed the prospect of playing before passionate supporters but said his players must remain focused on the match.

Inputs from The New Indian Express