Welcome to 2018. We take our eyes of the news for five minutes and it all comes flooding in, so we had better get to it!
FC Goa Flight Crash Lands
FC Goa’s match with ATK was suddenly rescheduled, meaning the Gaurs had to charter a private flight to Kolkata as they were unable to get all the players and technical staff on the same domestic flight. However, their flight to Kolkata on Tuesday was forced to crash land after developing technical issues. It sounds more alarming than it actually was, as nobody was hurt but it has meant that the game has been pushed back a few hours as rules state the opposing team must be there 90 minutes before kick off, and FC Goa now have to fly in on the day.
Rene Meuelensteen OUT – David James IN
Following a dismal start to their ISL campaign Kerala Blasters and Rene Meuelensteen have parted company. It had quickly become clear that whatever Rene’s Plan A was was not working and there was no immediate sign of a Plan B bearing fruit. The recent 5 goal hammering by FC Goa was enough to turn the fans against the Dutchman who had surprised many with his team selections.
Thangboi Singto is currently in charge of the side as an interim manager for the team’s clash with FC Pune City with David James returning to the club as Head Coach. This represents another gamble by Kerala who must regret not retaining Steve Coppell after last season.
Singto has said,
“When the season started, every team wants to do really well. It is the same with us. The results are there for all to see. The preparation, intention and the plan has always been to do well on the field. We are Kerala Blasters and we have the best fans. For us, what is most important is tomorrow’s (Thursday) match. We are preparing as best as we can
“We are in a professional world. The players we have are professional enough to know the importance of every game. As professional people working for the club, you just have to look positively ahead”.
NorthEast sack Joao de Deus
After the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Mumbai City FC, the club management held meetings with certain players who expressed their displeasure over de Deus’ style of management. Therefore, a 5-0 hammering against FC Pune City meant the writing was firmly on the wall for the former manager of Sporting CP ‘B’. NorthEast are believed to be turning to their former manager Cesar Farias, who currently manages The Strongest in Bolivia.
Either way, it is unlikely that NorthEast are going to break their duck of making the playoffs.
