'NorthEast United are much better than last year,' Kerala Blasters coach Frank Dauwen

Kerala Blasters will look to secure another win thanks to strong home support.

Kerala Blasters FC are set to welcome NorthEast United in their next Indian Super League (ISL) contest at the JLN Stadium in Kochi on Saturday, 21 October 2023. The side has started their 2023-24 season of the league in high spirits, winning two of their first three matches. 

Frank Dauwen, the Assistant Coach of the Kerala Blasters FC, spoke to the media ahead of their clash with the Highlanders and gave an insight into what to expect from the game. He was joined by Dimitrios Diamantakos in the press conference who will be looking to get on the scoresheet and help the team win.

Here are the excerpts from the conversation:

Backing on the support of the fans

Frank Dauwen hopes that the fans will motivate the players to give their best and secure a third win of the season. In regards to playing at home where they have seen off sides like Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC, Dauwen said, “It’s a new game with the supporters behind us. They were amazing in the first two games. With the crowd behind us, we have to go for the three points.”

On the Highlanders

Frank Dauwen understands the type of challenge that NEUFC will bring to the table and expects his team to be ready to respond. He said, “I saw the last three games from them, they played well. They have good wingers but they also have good foreign players in each line. They have a good striker and their midfielders are not bad. They showed that against Mumbai (City FC) by launching good attacks with good wingers. The young guy (a reference to Parthib Gogoi), has scored a lot. I think he has three goals at the moment. So I think the team is much better than last year.”

Update on Jeakson Singh

There was an update provided by Frank Dauwen that would upset a lot of KBFC fans. Giving an insight into the extent of Jeakson Singh’s injury, he said, “I think the shoulder problem, he needs surgery maybe next week. So I think maybe two months, two and a half, three months. So it's for a long time.” It is worth noting that Prabir Das (suspension), Marko Leskovic (injury) and Milos Drincic (suspension) will be absent as well.

Dimitrios Diamantakos on his fitness

The striker provided an encouraging update as he works towards regaining full-match fitness. He said, “I think that I am finding my rhythm, my form and I hope that I can help the team tomorrow (on Saturday) and can also start scoring.”