ISL 2025-26: "We got nothing to lose": Ashley Westwood shares his optimism ahead of the clash between Kerala Blasters & FC Goa
Kerala Blasters to host FC Goa in their last game of the ISL 2025-26 season
Kerala Blasters FC are all set to face FC Goa on the 18th of May 2026, in their final match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 season at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi, at 7:30 PM.
Being one of the in-form sides in the second phase of the league, the Blasters will be looking forward to putting forward a commendable performance against the Gaurs and ending the season on a positive note.
Ahead of the final match, Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ashley Westwood addressed the media. Here is a detailed report on the pre-match press conference of the Indian Super League (ISL) match between Kerala Blasters FC and FC Goa.
On facing FC Goa in the final game
When asked about the expectations of facing FC Goa, arguably the toughest opponent since Ashley Westwood’s arrival, Ashley replied that their primary objective remains to play to win as they always do.
He highlighted that they have already tested themselves against top-tier sides like Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC, viewing FC Goa in that same formidable mould.
The gaffer also noted that both teams share a positive mindset and will give absolutely everything, with nothing to lose, in the final match.
“No, obviously first and foremost, we’re going to try and play to win like we always do. You know, a tough opposition we’ve kind of played. I think when we played Bengaluru FC, if they would have beaten us, they would have gone one point behind the leaders. You know, if we would have lost the Jamshedpur game, they would have gone top of the table. I think the following week they won and did go top of the table. So, you know, we’ve played teams in and around the top three, the top four already and this is a team that we see in that kind of mold as well.”
“Obviously coached by Manolo, who I know fairly well, coming up against him for Hong Kong against India. Followed his career quite a lot since he’s been in India. I know that he’s a good coach, likes to play football and the team will be in the same frame of mind as us. Last game, nothing to lose. Give everything you can to try and get the result, and that’s the same for both teams.”
On the Indian players
When asked about how he motivates the Indian players and his impressions of them, Ashley explained that his approach remains rooted in his lifelong coaching philosophy of leading by example with passion, desire, and an intense work ethic.
He emphasised that unlocking the potential of Indian players depends on establishing a structured framework, proper guidance, and the right environment, noting that the squad has improved rapidly because they have applied themselves well to his instructions.
“No, I just coach the same way all throughout my career. I coached as I played, which was, you know, heart on the sleeve, passionate, determined to win, good desire and just try and drive things from the sideline as I would if I was on the pitch. You know, you set the standards, you set the guidelines, the professionalism. And first and foremost, you stick by your own rules. You know, I work as hard as anybody. It doesn’t matter what I do off the field. That’s for us to know on the inside. It’s no problem. But, you know, you just set the framework and hopefully everybody, you know, gives their all, which is what I do.”
“Indian players, you know, I stick by what I’ve said from day one, from when I came to India. And they’re very similar, the Indian players. You know, I believe, you know, our players are now starting to show their potential. But it’s not about an individual of Indian players. It’s about, you know, the framework you give them, the platform you give them, the foundation, the environment. And if you train them correctly and you give the right advice and the right content and you give them the right platform, then you see a lot of improvement.”
“So, you know, it didn’t concern me coming here who we had in the squad because I knew that if they tried and they applied themselves correctly, to the information that we were given, that they would improve quickly. And that’s what’s happened.”
On the return of major fan groups
Ashley was questioned if the return of major fan groups for the final home game would alter the team’s approach or intensity, to which the gaffer responded that while a packed stadium won’t change their tactical strategy or objective to win, it will undeniably lift and motivate the players.
Highlighting the steady growth in attendance since his arrival six games ago, he said that fans are the lifeblood of a football club and expressed his desire to reward a full force turnout with a performance to be proud of.
“No, I think we’ve seen a different crowd participation since we’ve been here. We’ve been here from the start. Well, since my start six games ago, where the stadium was fairly empty, maybe 1,000, 2,000 fans. I think the last game, I’m not sure exactly how many. If I was guessing, I’d say 12,000. The numbers have started to increase. But from a player’s perspective, of course, they want to play in as many full stadiums as possible. You feel the crowd. You hear them. It motivates the players when they come out for warm-ups. When they hear the crowd cheering goals or reacting to chances, it’s good. It’s encouraging. It’s motivating for players. So, everybody wants to play in front of a full house.”
“I don’t think it will change the way we play. It won’t change the way we go about how we’re trying to win the game. But it will certainly lift the players because it does. Anyone who says it doesn’t, I believe, is not telling the truth. You need to play the fans. They’re a part of a football club. They’re part of a football team. And players do respond to noise, and they do respond to atmosphere. So, hopefully, they come out in full force tomorrow. We can give them a performance to be proud of. We can build on what we’ve done so far. But again, a football club without fans is dead.”
On no players being selected from the Blasters in the India probables for the Unity Cup
While almost half a dozen players were selected from clubs like Mohun Bagan SG and Bengaluru FC for the India probables for the Unity Cup, no players were called up for the squad. When asked if Ashley feels the selection was fair and any Blasters players deserved a spot in the national team camp, he replied.
“No, I think, you know, we have come with a late run. You know, if you were looking at the Kerala Blasters’ side earlier on in the season, maybe when you started to make opinions, then you might have overlooked a few. I think one thing is for sure, league tables do not lie. And from Round 6, we are top of the table with 13 points. That may have got affected recently with some other results.”
“But the last I was told, we have got 13 points from the last five games. And we are the inform side. So, not only the inform side, there are some good players playing well. But, you know, again, it is nothing to do with me who gets picked for India. I just try and the players give it their all and they try and get noticed. One thing is for sure, we have got good players.”
“We win in football matches and people can pick and do whatever they want. Of course, you know, we wish India all the best, as always, unless they are playing against me, which has happened in the past. But for me, I hope they do well in the Unity Cup. Maybe I will get to go to one of them myself, being in England at the time.”
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Niranjan R Prabhu is an Economics student from Kochi with an enduring passion for Indian football, especially as a devoted Kerala Blasters FC fan — a club he considers part of his life. Beyond the game, he writes on culture, Indian economic development, and sustainability, always eager to explore ideas in depth. His days are a balancing act between college, writing, and travel.