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Last Updated Tuesday November 24 2020 02:40 AM IST

Kerala Blasters to meet ATK in opening match of ISL

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Kerala Blasters to meet ATK in opening match of  ISL Kerala Blasters have been boosted by the return of Candian striker Iain Hume, left. File photo: Manorama

Mumbai: Two-time champions and holders ATK will take on runner-up Kerala Blasters in the opening match of the Hero Indian Super League season 4 at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on November 17.

The match is looked upon as a re-run of last year's final and the Kerala outfit would be eager to make amends for last year's disappointment.

Altogether 95 matches will be played this season and 10 teams will be in action with the addition of Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC.

All the 10 teams will play each other in a home-and-away format in 90 games before the two-legged semifinals which are scheduled to take place in the second week of March.

Date and venue for the final will be announced later.

All league matches to be played from Wednesday to Saturday will kick off at 8 pm (IST) with Sunday featuring double headers at 5:30 pm and 8 pm.

Jamshedpur FC will play their first home match at the renovated JRD Tata Sports Complex Stadium against title holders ATK on December 1.

The 10 clubs have collectively spent Rs 132.75 crore in signing 77 international and 166 domestic players.

Unlike previous seasons, the maximum number of foreign players in the playing XI has been reduced from six to five from this season onwards.

Blasters' first home match

The Sachin Tendulkar co-owned Blasters meet Jamshedpur FC, coached by former Blasters boss Steve Coppell, in their first home match in Kochi on November 24.

The fans of both Blasters and Jamshedpur have been involved in a verbal battle on social media and the game at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium promises to be a lively one.

Blasters, who have finished runners-up twice, have roped in former Fulham manager Rene Meulensteen as head coach.

Blasters have signed former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker Dimitar Berbatov.

The 36-year-old had worked with Dutchman Meulensteen during his time at Old Trafford as well as Fulham.

Blasters have also signed former Manchester United defender Wes Brown.

Blasters' home matches in Kochi: vs Jamshedpur FC, November 24; vs Mumbai City FC, Dec 3; vs NorthEast United FC, Dec 15; vs Bengaluru FC, Dec 31; vs FC Pune City, Jan 4; vs FC Goa, Jan 21; vs Delhi Dynamos FC, Jan 27; vs Atletico de Kolkata, Feb 9; vs Chennaiyin FC, Feb 23.

Blasters' away matches: vs Atletico de Kolkata, Nov 17; vs FC Goa, Dec 9; vs Chennaiyin FC, Dec 22; vs Delhi Dynamos FC, Jan 10, vs Mumbai City FC, Jan 14; vs Jamshedpur FC, Jan 17; vs FC Pune City, Feb 2; vs NorthEast United FC, Feb 17; vs Bengaluru FC, March 1.

(With inputs from PTI)

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