2016 Kerala Blasters FC season

3rd season in existence of Kerala Blasters FC October 2016 October 2016 Kerala Blasters 2016 Steve Coppell Head Coach Chairman Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Indian Super League 2nd Finals Runners-Up C.K. Vineeth(5 goals) C.K. Vineeth(5 goals) 55,535 80,294 _blasters15h _blasters15h _blasters15h _blasters14h _blasters14h 0000BB blasters15h FFCC00 0000BB 0000BB _blasters15h _blasters15h _blasters15h _blasters14h blasters14h 2015 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.Kerala Blasters announce Steve Coppell as manager for ISL 2016 http://www.firstpost.com/sports/kerala-blasters-announce-steve-coppell-as-manager-for-isl-2016-2848038.html 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 A week later, the club announced the signing of Northern Ireland international Aaron Hughes as their marquee player for the season.Kerala Blasters bags Aaron Hughes as marquee player http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/Kerala-Blasters-bags-Aaron-Hughes-as-marquee-player/articleshow/53432056.cms 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 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.Indian Super League 2016 Team Profile - Kerala Blasters http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2016/09/30/27886432/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 The season began where the previous left off, with a 1–0 defeat away from home against NorthEast United.NorthEast United 1-0 Kerala Blasters - Katsumi Yusa wins it for Highlanders http://www.goal.com/en-india/match/northeast-united-vs-kerala-blasters/2348820/report 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 After the first month of the season, the Blasters had one of the best defenses statistically in the league but struggled in attack.Bali Rahul Kerala Blasters' invoke defensive rally as FC Goa continue to crumble http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/7083/isl/2016/10/26/28857572/indian-super-league-day-22-review-kerala-blasters-invoke 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 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 playoffs.CK Vineeth - If I prove myself, I'll get selected in the national team 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- 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 They achieved this by defeating Delhi Dynamos 3–0 in a penalty shootout during the semi-final.Puri Rohan Delhi Dynamos fumble at the post http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/football/indian-super-league/top-stories/isl-delhi-dynamos-fumble-at-the-post/articleshow/55986851.cms 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 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.Ghosh Sayan Atletico de Kolkata beat Kerala Blasters 4-3 on penalties to win ISL 2016 http://www.hindustantimes.com/football/isl-2016-final-live-football-score-kerala-blasters-fc-face-atletico-de-kolkata/story-VSlBMvCYDkYfRkV5ECZOgK.html 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 Players Squad 1 IRL GK Graham Stack 2 IND DF Pratik Chowdhary 5 FRA DF Cédric Hengbart 6 NIR DF Aaron Hughes 7 IND MF Mohammed Rafique 8 IND MF Vinit Rai 9 HAI FW Kervens Belfort 10 GRN FW Antonio German 11 IND MF Ishfaq Ahmed 12 IND FW Thongkhosiem Haokip 13 IND FW C.K. Vineeth 14 IND MF Mehtab Hossain 16 IND DF Gurwinder Singh 17 IND FW Farukh Choudhary 19 SEN DF Elhadji Ndoye 20 IND FW Mohammed Rafi 21 IND DF Sandesh Jhingan 22 IND FW Prasanth Karuthadathkuni 23 IND GK Kunal Sawant 24 IND GK Sandip Nandy 27 ENG FW Michael Chopra 30 IND GK Mohammad Ansari 31 IND DF Rino Anto 57 CIV MF Didier Kadio 78 HAI FW Duckens Nazon 88 CHA MF Azrack Mahamat 99 ESP DF Josu Source: Indian Super League 2016 Transfers List of 2016 Indian Super League season roster changes Retained Foreign players Position Player MF ESP JosuAntonio German and Josué Currais Prieto return to don the Yellow Jersey for Kerala Blasters in ISL Season 3 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 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 FW ENG Antonio German Indian players Position Player GK IND Sandip Nandy DF IND Gurwinder Singh DF IND Sandesh Jhingan MF IND C.K. VineethCK Vineeth retained https://twitter.com/KBFCOfficial/status/769114665079103488 Kerala Blasters FC (Twitter) 1 November 2016 1 July 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210701175600/https://twitter.com/KeralaBlasters/status/769114665079103488 live MF IND Ishfaq Ahmed MF IND Mehtab Hossain FW IND Mohammed Rafi New signings PositionPlayerLast clubDateRef? FWIND Thongkhosiem HaokipIND Goa7 July 20162016-07-07 Kerala Blasters sign 22-year old forward Thongkhosiem Haokip for ISL season three https://www.firstpost.com/sports/kerala-blasters-sign-22-year-old-forward-thongkhosiem-haokip-for-isl-season-three-2879944.html 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? DFIND Pratik ChowdharyIND Mumbai13 July 2016Kerala Blasters sign defender Pratik i https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/kerala-blasters-sign-defender-pratik-chaudhari-isl-mumbai.html 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? DFNIR Aaron HughesAUS Melbourne City28 July 2016Indian Super League Live Football Scores, News, Stats, Schedules, Results, Highlights, Photos, Videos – NDTV Sports https://sports.ndtv.com/indian-super-league 2021-07-01 NDTVSports.com en 28 June 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210628091749/https://sports.ndtv.com/indian-super-league live? GKIRL Graham StackENG Barnet3 August 2016Kerala Blasters sign former Arsenal stopper Graham Stack https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/kerala-blasters-sign-goalkeeper-graham-stack-isl-arsenal.html 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? FWENG Michael ChopraSCO Alloa Athletic7 August 2016Kerala Blasters bring back English striker Michael Chopra https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/kerala-blasters-sign-striker-michael-chopra.html 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? DFSEN Elhadji NdoyeKAZ Kyzylzhar9 August 2016Maitra Sayantan 2016-08-09 After Michael Chopra, top Senegalese defender joins Kerala Blasters ahead of ISL 2016 https://www.ibtimes.co.in/after-michael-chopra-top-senegalese-defender-joins-kerala-blasters-ahead-isl-2016-689443 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? FWHAI Kervens BelfortTUR 1461 Trabzon12 August 2016ISL 2017: Kervens Belfort - Kochi is my home, Kerala is my family Goal.com https://www.goal.com/en-in/news/isl-2017-kerala-blasters-jamshedpur-fc-kervens-belfort/um8oyd5nzhy41pogojbk3esfp 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? DFFRA Cédric HengbartIND NorthEast United16 August 2016Kerala Blasters defender Cedric Hengbart signs for Maltese club Mosta FC Goal.com https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/indian-super-league-2016-kerala-blasters-cedric-hengbart/y15tq37lfw3j1gb8oqfk1tr14 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? MFIND Mohammed RafiqueIND Atlético de Kolkata22 August 20162016-08-13 Mohammed Rafique: Kolkata's loss, Kerala's gain in ISL3? https://www.hindustantimes.com/football/mohammed-rafique-kolkata-s-loss-kerala-s-gain-in-isl3/story-EyILCAezAKYW4MsYQjODiP.html 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? MFCHA Azrack MahamatGRE Levadiakos23 August 2016Kerala Blasters bolster midfield with signing of Azrack Mahamat https://www.aninews.in/news/sports/internet/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? DFIND Rino AntoIND Atlético de Kolkata26 August 201626 August 2016 Rino Anto signs for Kerala Blasters https://twitter.com/kbfcofficial/status/769169966457171968 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? MFCIV Didier KadioKAZ Zhetysu30 August 2016Bharali Abhijit 2017-08-21 ISL 2017: Ex-Kerala Blasters star slams rumours linking him to other ISL clubs https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/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? MFIND Vinit RaiIND Dempo2 September 2016Reporter Sports 2010-09-15 Vinit Rai signs for Kerala Blasters https://assamtribune.com/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? FWHAI Duckens NazonPOR Tondela6 September 2016Kerala Blasters strengthen their attack with Haitian footballer Duckens Nazon for Indian Super League 2016 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 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? GKIND Kunal SawantIND Mumbai7 September 2016Kerala Blasters announces final squad for Indian Super League 2016 http://www.indiansuperleague.com/press-releases/3978-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? GKIND Mohammad AnsariIND Pune7 September 2016? FWIND Prasanth KaruthadathkuniIND AIFF Elite Academy7 September 2016? FWIND Farukh ChoudharyIND Lonestar Kashmir7 September 2016 Pre-season 2016 9 12 y Friendly BBCU THA 1–2 Report IND Kerala Blasters Bangkok W 2016 9 15 y Friendly Bangkok United THA 0–0 Report IND Kerala Blasters Bangkok D 2016 9 24 y Friendly Southern Samity IND 1–1 Report IND Kerala Blasters Kolkata D Indian Super League 2016 Indian Super League KB Results summary 5 1 1 9 4 1 3 3 4 11 https://int.soccerway.com/teams/india/kerala-blasters/31407/matches/ November 2016 Results 2016 10 1 y 19:00 IST 1 NorthEast United 1–0 Report Kerala Blasters Yusa 55 Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium Guwahati 27,629 Pranjal Banerji L 2016 10 5 y 19:00 IST 2 Kerala Blasters 0–1 Report Atlético de Kolkata Lara 53 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi 54,900 Umesh Bora L 2016 10 9 y 19:00 IST 3 Kerala Blasters 0–0 Report Delhi Dynamos Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi 54,913 Tejas Nagvenkar D 2016 10 14 y 19:00 IST 4 Kerala Blasters 1–0 Report Mumbai City Chopra 58 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi 40,013 Ajit Dutta W 2016 10 17 y 19:00 IST 5 Pune City 1–1 Report Kerala Blasters Sissoko 68 Hengbart 3 Balewadi Stadium Pune 8,556 Ajit Meetei D 2016 10 24 y 19:00 IST 6 Goa 1–2 Report Kerala Blasters César 24 Rafi 46Belfort 84 Fatorda Stadium Margao 18,157 C. R. Srikrishna W 2016 10 29 y 19:00 IST 7 Chennaiyin 0–0 Report Kerala Blasters Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Chennai 23,163 Pranjal Banerjee D 2014 11 4 y 19:00 IST 8 Delhi Dynamos 2–0 Report Kerala Blasters Lewis 56Marcelinho 60 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Delhi 15,471 Nick Waldron L 2016 11 8 y 19:00 IST 9 Kerala Blasters 2–1 Report Goa Belfort 48 penVineeth 90+9 Coelho 9 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi 34,196 Nick Waldron W 2016 11 12 y 19:00 IST 10 Kerala Blasters 3–1 Report Chennaiyin Kadio 66Vineeth 85 89 Mendy 22 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi 53,152 Nivon Robesh Gamini W 2016 11 19 y 19:00 IST 11 Mumbai City 5–0 Report Kerala Blasters Forlán 5 14 63Alves 69Goian 73 Mumbai Football Arena Mumbai 7583 L 2016 11 25 y 19:00 IST 12 Kerala Blasters 2–1 Report Pune City Nazon 7Hughes 57 Zurdo 90+5 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi 51341 W 2016 11 29 y 19:00 IST 13 Atlético de Kolkata 1–1 Kerala Blasters Stephen Pearson 18 C.K. Vineeth 8 Rabindra Sarobar Stadium Kolkata D 2016 12 4 y 19:00 IST 14 Kerala Blasters 1–0 NorthEast United C.K. Vineeth 66 Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi 53000 W Player statistics Season stats # Position Player GP Games played G Goals 1 GK IRL Graham Stack 8 0 2 DF IND Pratik Chowdhary 8 0 5 DF FRA Cédric Hengbart 17 1 6 DF NIR Aaron Hughes 11 1 7 MF IND Mohammed Rafique 10 0 8 MF IND Vinit Rai 2 0 9 FW HAI Kervens Belfort 15 3 10 FW ENG Antonio German 14 0 11 MF IND Ishfaq Ahmed 9 0 12 FW IND Thongkhosiem Haokip 1 0 13 FW IND C.K. Vineeth 9 5 14 MF IND Mehtab Hossain 16 0 16 DF IND Gurwinder Singh 1 0 17 FW IND Farukh Choudhary 2 0 19 DF SEN Elhadji Ndoye 5 0 20 FW IND Mohammed Rafi 13 2 21 DF IND Sandesh Jhingan 17 0 22 FW IND Prasanth Karuthadathkuni 0 0 23 GK IND Kunal Sawant 0 0 24 GK IND Sandip Nandy 10 0 27 FW ENG Michael Chopra 10 1 30 GK IND Mohammad Ansari 0 0 31 DF IND Rino Anto 3 0 57 MF CIV Didier Kadio 12 1 78 FW HAI Duckens Nazon 13 2 88 MF CHA Azrack Mahamat 14 0 99 DF ESP Josu 14 0 See also 2016–17 in Indian football References Category:Kerala Blasters FC seasons Kerala Blasters FC