Kerala Blasters express concern over “poor condition” of pitch at Kaloor International Stadium

ANI |
Updated: January 11, 2025 11:54 p.m IST

Kochi (Kerala) (India), Jan 11 (ANI): Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) has expressed concern over the “poor condition of the pitch” at the Kaloor International Stadium. The playing surface has also been among the best in the country year after year, but several inspections carried out before the ISL match scheduled for Monday have revealed a deplorable situation, a KBFC press release said.
The conduct of a third-party non-sporting event on the ground in recent times has resulted in injuries which are undesirable for the club and for the Indian Super League, the statement said. The club has also noted that no precautions had been taken to prevent the same, it added.
The Blasters’ pitch team is working tirelessly, day and night, to restore the pitch to match-ready condition, which has resulted in incurring significant monetary charges, the release said.

In a repeat of KBFC’s last game in the ongoing ISL 2024-25, a spot kick from Noah Sadaoui was enough for Kerala Blasters FC to secure a win, especially after going down to nine men in the last quarter. With their 0-1 victory on Sunday.
Kerala Blasters FC became just the third team to win an Indian Super League match after receiving two or more red cards after Mumbai City FC (4 vs Mohun Bagan Super Giant on 20 December 2023) and Chennaiyin FC (2 vs Kerala Blasters FC on 16 December) 2014 with both these bookings coming in AET).
With this win, KBFC remain in the playoff standings just three points behind sixth-placed Odisha FC (20). On the other hand, Punjab FC have succumbed to four consecutive defeats and were missing key strikers Luka Majcen and Ezequiel Vidal due to suspensions.
Kerala Blasters FC will host Odisha FC at home on January 13. (ANI)