Uphill task for Kerala against Delhi

Kochi: Steve Coppell sounded like he was in a Nike advert, urging his boys to “just do it”, as Kerala Blasters prepared to host free-flowing Delhi Dynamos for the first leg of the second semi-final at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.

On the eve of the showdown, the Englishman was unmindful of the fact that his side, the worst scoring team among the semi-finalists, with less than a goal per game, were up against the league’s most potent attack that has netted 27 times in 14 outings.

“It is not how you do it, but the fact that you just do it that matters the most,” said Kerala head coach Coppell, stressing on the need to show the right mentality against Gianluca Zambrotta’s ambitious Delhi, who have already beaten them once this season.

Both managers believe the early minutes on Sunday would set the tone for the reminder of the two-legged semi-final.

“It is a game as always that we would like to win, but as it progresses we might become more aware of the fact that it is actually part of two games,” said Coppell. The former Crystal Palace manager has said they would not be over respectful of Delhi’s effervescent front three — Pereira, Lewis and Richard Gadze — who had 18 goals and 11 assists between them, nor offer any special treatment to former Chelsea man Florent Malouda, who has scored thrice and assisted five times.

“They are very potent going forward so that might leave them a little vulnerable at the back,” said Coppell. “I would like to think I’ve some terrific players. We’ve to be adventurous, but we always have to be disciplined.”

Coppell also declined to take into account his team’s incredible form at home.

Meanwhile, with a fully fit squad at his disposal, Zambrotta will not want to alter his lethal front-men while Malappuram native Anas Edathodika is expected to partner Spaniard Ruben Rocha in the centre of the Delhi defense.