Coppell feels the league is still very much open for all seven teams to qualify for playoffs

COMING INTO THE GAME with the biggest lost of the season, Kerala Blasters will try to keep the defeat behind then as they look to get past a Pune side who have shown signs of progress in the past few games.

Looking back at the defeat Steve Coppell recalls how they were comprehensively beaten by a stronger Mumbai team. He further said,

“For me personally to be two-nil down within 15 minutes and come back from that is very difficult. I made a decision to try and get back in the game at half time. We changed a couple of things and maybe we wouldn't have conceded a couple of goals if I had kept things more steady”

The Blasters Coach continued saying,

 ”The third goal could have been vital, so I thought if we managed to pull one back we would be back in the game. Unfortunately, we never got it but we are past that now and we have learnt what we can from that game. Mumbai is a very good team, and like I said before the game, there has been a huge investment in their team, so it was always going to be difficult against them but it's done now and we are moving forward and improving.”

Talking about his team's opponents for the night Coppell answered a question saying if he says Pune as an improved side from the start of the league,

“Yes, it appears that way. You can judge by the way of the tally. You can also say there has been an improvement but there is still so much to play for and presently every team is capable of being in the semi-finals.”

On a question of as to how many points would be required to qualify for the semi finals, replied,

“We don't know because we don't have that kind of control, since we've been here we have only been focused on the very next game because sometimes the points could be enough and sometimes not, so we just need to prove ourselves and do better to get points. Presently, all teams could reach the semi-finals. This league has been that close, and it's great, it's great entertainment and it shows the league is on a good path.”

Coppell shared that Aaron Hughes is fit,back from national duty and available for selection for tonight's fixture.

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