ISL Final: Kerala ready for revenge as ATK eye their second title

Kochi: Two years after facing the heartbreak of missing out on a title, Kerala Blasters will go all out with a partisan crowd behind them for their maiden Indian Super League title against former champions Atletico de Kolkata in a replay of the summit clash during first edition. While they would have little do with on-field action but it will yet again be a prestige fight between the franchises co-owned by Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly. Kerala, who have been in tremendous form during the business end of the league, after a scrappy start, have lost to ATK by a solitary goal during the 2014 edition. Now, with a capacity crowd of 55,000 exepected to turn up at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here, Steve Coppell's side are brimming with confidence and they have the reason to do so having won six out of the seven matches that they have played at this venue. The venue has been like a fortress for the Kerala side though interestingly it is only the ATK, who have beaten Coppell's side at home and the visiting side have every reason to believe that they can beat the home team tomorrow. ATK, on the other hand, would be looking to become the first side to lift the title for the second time after the inaugural edition crown. They have already become the most successful side in the fledging ISL having made it to the last-four in all the three editions and it will be their second final appearance tomorrow. Tomorow's grand finale of yet another successful ISL season wil also see two cricket icons Tendulkar and Ganguly, Kolkata, cheering for their respective teams in a match which is exepected to be graced by celebrities from all walks of life including eminent names from Indian film industry. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan will watch the match along with ISL Chairperson Nita Ambani and All India Football Federation President Praful Patel. Kerala, who finished last in the second edition last year, have had to struggle more than ATK in their way to the semi-finals and then the final. They began on a scrappy note this season and they were at the bottom half in the first phase of the league with just nine points from seven matches. They picked up steam in the second part of the league but had to be the last side to book a play-offs berth and that came at their home venue here. They beat Delhi Dynamos in the first leg of the semi-finals here but lost the second leg before making it to the final via the penalty shoot-out.