2016 Kerala Blasters FC season explained

Season:2016
Mgrtitle:Head Coach
Chrtitle:Chairman
League Result:2nd
Cup1 Result:Runners-Up
League Topscorer:
(5 goals)
Season Topscorer:
(5 goals)
Average Attendance:55,535
Highest Attendance:80,294
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Pattern Ra1:_blasters15h
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Pattern So1:_blasters14h
Leftarm1:0000BB
Body1:blasters15h
Rightarm1:FFCC00
Shorts1:0000BB
Socks1:0000BB
Pattern La2:_blasters15h
Pattern B2:_blasters15h
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Pattern So2:_blasters14h
Leftarm2:blasters14h
Nextseason:2017-18

The 2016 season was the third season in Kerala Blasters FC's existence, as well as their third season in Indian Super League. After finishing second position in the league stage, the club managed to make it to the final. In the finals, they were again defeated by Atlético de Kolkata, this time through the penalty shoot-out.

Background

In 2016, in an effort to rebuild after failing to qualify for the finals the previous season, Kerala Blasters announced the signing of former Crystal Palace manager Steve Coppell as head coach on 21 June 2016.[1] A week later, the club announced the signing of Northern Ireland international Aaron Hughes as their marquee player for the season.[2] Other moves made before the season included the signing of Graham Stack, Kervens Belfort, Duckens Nazon, and Mohammed Rafique and return of former players Michael Chopra and Cédric Hengbart.[3]

The season began where the previous left off, with a 1–0 defeat away from home against NorthEast United.[4] After the first month of the season, the Blasters had one of the best defenses statistically in the league but struggled in attack.[5] In the second half of the season, after the return of C.K. Vineeth from loan with Bengaluru FC, the Blasters managed to surge their way into the finals.[6] They achieved this by defeating Delhi Dynamos 3–0 in a penalty shootout during the semi-final.[7] In the final, the Kerala Blasters would play host to Atlético de Kolkata. The Blasters took the lead early through Mohammed Rafi before Kolkata equalized soon after. The match went into a penalty shootout, Despite taking the lead early in the shootout, the Kerala Blasters lost 4–3 and thus were defeated in their second final in three seasons.[8]

Players

Squad

Source: Indian Super League 2016

Transfers

See main article: List of 2016 Indian Super League season roster changes.

Retained

Foreign players

PositionPlayer
MF Josu[9]
FW Antonio German

Indian players

PositionPlayer
GK Sandip Nandy
DF Gurwinder Singh
DF Sandesh Jhingan
MF C.K. Vineeth[10]
MF Ishfaq Ahmed
MF Mehtab Hossain
FW Mohammed Rafi

New signings

PositionPlayerLast clubDateRef
Thongkhosiem Haokip Goa7 July 2016[11]
Pratik Chowdhary Mumbai13 July 2016[12]
Aaron Hughes Melbourne City28 July 2016[13]
Graham Stack Barnet3 August 2016[14]
Michael Chopra Alloa Athletic7 August 2016[15]
Elhadji Ndoye Kyzylzhar9 August 2016[16]
Kervens Belfort 1461 Trabzon12 August 2016[17]
Cédric Hengbart NorthEast United16 August 2016[18]
Mohammed Rafique Atlético de Kolkata22 August 2016[19]
Azrack Mahamat Levadiakos23 August 2016[20]
Rino Anto Atlético de Kolkata26 August 2016[21]
Didier Kadio Zhetysu30 August 2016[22]
Vinit Rai Dempo2 September 2016[23]
Duckens Nazon Tondela6 September 2016[24]
Kunal Sawant Mumbai7 September 2016[25]
Mohammad Ansari Pune7 September 2016
Prasanth Karuthadathkuni AIFF Elite Academy7 September 2016
Farukh Choudhary Lonestar Kashmir7 September 2016

Indian Super League

See main article: 2016 Indian Super League season.

Results

Player statistics

Season stats
PositionPlayer
1 GK 6 0
2 DF 8 0
5 DF 17 1
6 DF 9 1
7 MF 10 0
8 MF 2 0
9 FW 13 3
10 FW 11 0
11 MF 6 0
12 FW 1 0
13 FW 9 5
14 MF 16 0
16 DF 1 0
17 FW 2 0
19 DF 4 0
20 FW 13 2
21 DF 17 0
22 FW 0 0
23 GK 0 0
24 GK 10 0
27 FW 10 1
30 GK 0 0
31 DF 3 0
57 MF 11 1
78 FW 11 2
88 MF 11 0
99 DF 15 0

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Kerala Blasters announce Steve Coppell as manager for ISL 2016. 14 July 2017. FirstPost. 22 June 2016. 29 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729030608/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/kerala-blasters-announce-steve-coppell-as-manager-for-isl-2016-2848038.html. live.
  2. News: Kerala Blasters bags Aaron Hughes as marquee player. 14 July 2017. Times of India. 28 June 2016. 2 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160802025134/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/Kerala-Blasters-bags-Aaron-Hughes-as-marquee-player/articleshow/53432056.cms. live.
  3. News: Indian Super League 2016 Team Profile - Kerala Blasters. 14 July 2017. Goal.com. 30 September 2016. 1 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170801140956/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2016/09/30/27886432/indian-super-league-2016-team-profile-kerala-blasters. live.
  4. News: NorthEast United 1-0 Kerala Blasters - Katsumi Yusa wins it for Highlanders. 14 July 2017. Goal.com. 1 October 2016. 26 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161126130701/http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/northeast-united-vs-kerala-blasters/2348820/report. live.
  5. News: Bali. Rahul. Kerala Blasters’ invoke defensive rally as FC Goa continue to crumble. 14 July 2017. Goal.com. 26 October 2016. 28 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170828234438/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2016/10/26/28857572/indian-super-league-day-22-review-kerala-blasters-invoke. live.
  6. News: CK Vineeth - If I prove myself, I'll get selected in the national team. 14 July 2017. Goal.com. 10 December 2016. 28 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170828234442/http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2016/12/10/30347042/isl-2016-exclusive-ck-vineeth-if-i-prove-myself-ill-get-selected-. live.
  7. News: Puri. Rohan. Delhi Dynamos fumble at the post. 26 July 2017. Times of India. 15 December 2016. 20 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161220023753/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/isl-delhi-dynamos-fumble-at-the-post/articleshow/55986851.cms. live.
  8. News: Ghosh. Sayan. Atletico de Kolkata beat Kerala Blasters 4-3 on penalties to win ISL 2016. 26 July 2017. Hindustan Times. 19 December 2016. 27 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170727195319/http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-2016-final-live-football-score-kerala-blasters-fc-face-atletico-de-kolkata/story-VSlBMvCYDkYfRkV5ECZOgK.html. live.
  9. Web site: Antonio German and Josué Currais Prieto return to don the Yellow Jersey for Kerala Blasters in ISL Season 3. Indian Super League. 1 November 2016. 9 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161109224903/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/press-releases/3729-antonio-german-and-josue-currais-prieto-return-to-don-the-yellow-jersey-for-kerala-blasters-in-the-indian-super-league-2016. live.
  10. Web site: CK Vineeth retained. Kerala Blasters FC (Twitter). 1 November 2016. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175600/https://twitter.com/KeralaBlasters/status/769114665079103488. live.
  11. Web site: 2016-07-07. Kerala Blasters sign 22-year old forward Thongkhosiem Haokip for ISL season three. 2021-07-01. Firstpost. 22 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170822234752/http://www.firstpost.com/sports/kerala-blasters-sign-22-year-old-forward-thongkhosiem-haokip-for-isl-season-three-2879944.html. live.
  12. Web site: Kerala Blasters sign defender Pratik Chaudhari. 2021-07-01. OnManorama. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175524/https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/kerala-blasters-sign-defender-pratik-chaudhari-isl-mumbai.html. live.
  13. Web site: Indian Super League Live Football Scores, News, Stats, Schedules, Results, Highlights, Photos, Videos – NDTV Sports. 2021-07-01. NDTVSports.com. en. 28 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210628091749/https://sports.ndtv.com/indian-super-league. live.
  14. Web site: Kerala Blasters sign former Arsenal stopper Graham Stack. 2021-07-01. OnManorama. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175545/https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/kerala-blasters-sign-goalkeeper-graham-stack-isl-arsenal.html. live.
  15. Web site: Kerala Blasters bring back English striker Michael Chopra. 2021-07-01. OnManorama. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175524/https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/kerala-blasters-sign-striker-michael-chopra.html. live.
  16. Web site: Maitra. Sayantan. 2016-08-09. After Michael Chopra, top Senegalese defender joins Kerala Blasters ahead of ISL 2016. 2021-07-01. www.ibtimes.co.in. en. 16 November 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161116190521/http://www.ibtimes.co.in/after-michael-chopra-top-senegalese-defender-joins-kerala-blasters-ahead-isl-2016-689443. live.
  17. Web site: ISL 2017: Kervens Belfort - Kochi is my home, Kerala is my family Goal.com. 2021-07-01. www.goal.com. 21 October 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201021033027/https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-jamshedpur-fc-kervens-belfort/um8oyd5nzhy41pogojbk3esfp. live.
  18. Web site: Kerala Blasters defender Cedric Hengbart signs for Maltese club Mosta FC Goal.com. 2021-07-01. www.goal.com. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175526/https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/indian-super-league-2016-kerala-blasters-cedric-hengbart/y15tq37lfw3j1gb8oqfk1tr14. live.
  19. Web site: 2016-08-13. Mohammed Rafique: Kolkata’s loss, Kerala’s gain in ISL3?. 2021-07-01. Hindustan Times. en. 23 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170123192120/http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/mohammed-rafique-kolkata-s-loss-kerala-s-gain-in-isl3/story-EyILCAezAKYW4MsYQjODiP.html. live.
  20. Web site: Kerala Blasters bolster midfield with signing of Azrack Mahamat. 2021-07-01. ANI News. en. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175527/https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/internet/kerala-blasters-bolster-midfield-with-signing-of-azrack-mahamat/. live.
  21. Web site: 26 August 2016. Rino Anto signs for Kerala Blasters. live. 2021-07-01. Kerala Blasters (Twitter). en. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175546/https://abs.twimg.com/responsive-web/client-web/ondemand.Dropdown.a11cf515.js.
  22. Web site: Bharali. Abhijit. 2017-08-21. ISL 2017: Ex-Kerala Blasters star slams rumours linking him to other ISL clubs. 2021-07-01. www.sportskeeda.com. en-us. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175527/https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/isl-2017-ex-kerala-blasters-star-slams-rumours-linking-him-to-other-isl-clubs. live.
  23. Web site: Reporter. Sports. 2010-09-15. Vinit Rai signs for Kerala Blasters. 2021-07-01. assamtribune.com. en. 1 July 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175528/https://assamtribune.com/vinit-rai-signs-for-kerala-blasters. live.
  24. Web site: Kerala Blasters strengthen their attack with Haitian footballer Duckens Nazon for Indian Super League 2016. 2021-07-01. Indian Super League. en. 6 June 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210606060032/https://www.indiansuperleague.com/clubs/498-kerala-blasters-fc-profile/press-releases/kerala-blasters-strengthen-their-attack-with-haitian-footballer-duckens-nazon-for-indian-super-league-2016. live.
  25. News: Kerala Blasters announces final squad for Indian Super League 2016. 11 September 2016. Indian Super League. 7 September 2016. 29 July 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729022051/http://www.indiansuperleague.com/press-releases/3978-kerala-blasters-announces-final-squad-for-indian-super-league-2016. live.

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