Upbeat Manipur eye maiden triumph

The hosts will be hoping to capitalise on the home advantage to put it across the four-time winners and six-time runners-up Kerala who will be equally determined to retain the coveted trophy in the final in what promises to be a thrilling contest.

Kerala, who have impressed as the most compact team with balance in all departments, made no secret that they would play attacking football to outwit the home side’s defence which showed signs of chinks at times under pressure of rival attacks in their previous matches.

‘‘Manipur defence in comparison to the forward line is weak and we would play attacking football to defend the title,’’ Kerala Coach M Peethambaran told PTI during a practice session on Monday.

Kerala coach put his faith in his express forward line comrising Asif Saheer, Abdul Hakkim, Sylvester Ignatious, T Usman and Shabeer Ali and hoped ‘‘boys will repeat the strong showing they have put up in the quarter-final league stage beating formidable Bengal.’’

He revealed that Kerala will play in the 4-3-3 formation it has been able to strike the right chord with the likes of seasoned Suresh Babu and international K Ajayan functioning tirelessley to feed the team’s three-men attack. Kerala boasts of a strong defence with Mohammad Shafeeq and Vinoor Jose in the middle who have fizzled out many a rival attacks and two men on the wings — Bineesh K and Sameer K have been excellent.

‘‘We are not overawed by the vocal crowd and tremendous support for the home side and we would play our own game in our own style’’, the Kerala coach said in an apparent reference to Saturday’s crowd violence during Manipur-Goa semi-final tie.

Manipur have beeen strenghtend in the current championship by the services of the outstation players like Bijen Singh, Monitombi Singh, Tomb Singh, Bungo Sigh, James Singh, thanks to the new AIFF directive which makes it mandatory that the players should represent their states (with the exception of only Services and Railways).

Bijen Singh in particular had a fantastic tournament and is so far the top scorer with ten goals and has impressed all with his electrifying runs with the balls.

Besides the famed Manipur forwards which may give enough anxious moments for Kerala, the goalkeeper H Noren Singh, who has displayed a gritty performance, may also prove to be a stumblng block for the defending champions.

‘‘I have got a particular game plan which should not be divulged now as it would go to the advantage of Kerala but I would assure that my boys would go all out and not dishearten the home supporters,’’ said Manipur coach Shantikumar Singh.

Most of the Manipur players play for various clubs across the country and when it came to playing for the state, they lack cohesion and understanding. Kerala will try to take advantage of this factor.