THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Authorities have issued a heatwave alert across Kerala as temperatures are predicted to soar due to increasing ultraviolet (UV) index levels. With the advisory prompted by this rise, residents are urged to minimize direct sun exposure, especially during the peak hours of 10 AM to 3 PM. Over the next few days, temperatures are expected to climb by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. Regions including Kannur may see highs near 39°C, along with Kasaragod, Kottayam, and Thrissur potentially reaching around 38°C.
On the sporting front, the looming heat isn’t the only pressure; Kerala Blasters FC are set to host Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi today. This much-anticipated clash is pivotal as the Blasters strive to secure victory to maintain their playoff hopes alive. With only 24 points gained from 21 games, including seven wins and three draws, they find themselves at the mercy of several other results. Their situation has grown increasingly urgent as they aim to clinch all remaining matches to have any shot at qualifying.
The Blasters have struggled lately, including failing to score during their last two home matches, signaling the need for their offense to find its rhythm. Historically, Kerala Blasters FC has remained unbeaten at home against Jamshedpur FC, with the record standing at two wins and three draws from five encounters. Nonetheless, this season has taken its toll, with Jamshedpur FC already securing their place in the playoffs after edging past the Blasters 1-0 earlier this season.
Kerala Blasters FC face several challenges as they enter this match. Their goal drought is of utmost concern; they have never gone three consecutive home games without scoring within the Indian Super League (ISL) history, and they are desperate to preserve this streak. Compounding their troubles, they have also conceded 15 goals from set-pieces this season, marking them as the second-worst team for this type of defensive lapse, trailing only behind Hyderabad FC who have let 17 goals slip through such situations.
On the other side, Jamshedpur FC continues to display formidable defensive skills, having kept clean sheets, including their last away match where they defeated Mohammedan SC 2-0. The last time they managed back-to-back victories away from home, without conceding, was back in December 2017. Their proficiency from set-pieces is notable as well; with 15 set-piece goals netted this season, only Mohun Bagan Super Giant (20) and Odisha FC (18) have scored more.
The head-to-head record between these two clubs indicates competitive history, with Kerala Blasters claiming victory five times against Jamshedpur's four wins, and eight matches ending drawn. Ahead of the match, both teams' coaches shared their sentiments. Kerala Blasters FC’s interim head coach, TG Purushothaman, stated, "Our only goal right now is to win the coming match. More so, because we are playing at home and we want to do well. We must continue working hard to get a positive result.” His counterpart from Jamshedpur FC, Khalid Jamil, underscored the seriousness of the encounter, saying, "We must approach the game with utmost seriousness" even as they enjoy playoff qualification.
Key players for the match will play pivotal roles. For Kerala Blasters FC, Korou Singh has been instrumental with one goal and four assists this season, creating 11 goal-scoring chances and registering 24 touches within the opposition's penalty area. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC's Ritwik Das has been on fire, scoring in his last three ISL starts, bringing his overall total with the club to 11 strikes—just one goal shy of being the club’s second-highest scorer ever. Blasters’ Adrian Luna has similarly proven lethal against Jamshedpur FC, netting three goals against them throughout his career and scoring during the last two home confrontations.
The excitement for the match is matched by the anticipation of viewing options, as the Indian Super League can be streamed live via JioHotstar (in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam), along with television broadcasts on Star Sports 3 (English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam) and Asianet Plus (Malayalam). The overlap of the heatwave alert and pivotal football match adds layers of stakes for fans and athletes alike, emphasizing how sometimes, the intensity goes beyond the field itself.