Tuskers will face the Highlanders on the 15th
Kerala Blasters FC will play NorthEast United FC on the 15th of April, 2026, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, as the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26 action returns to Kochi for the first time since the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers match between India and Hong Kong.
Kerala Blasters FC, after a victory against Bengaluru FC on Sunday, have bagged valuable three points, which have provided them with some breathing space from the relegation trap, which has been haunting them for a while now. Even though the Blasters are still in the 13th position of the league table, the difference in points with Mohammedan SC will surely provide relief to the players and the support staff.
The match against NorthEast United, who are coming after two back-to-back losses, will be a golden opportunity for Ashley Westwood and his side to fetch three points, which would take them a couple of spots higher in the group table after a long time.
Ahead of the match, Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ashley Westwood addressed the media. Here is a detailed report of the pre-match press conference of the match between Kerala Blasters FC and NorthEast United FC.
How does the win against Bengaluru FC motivate the Blasters?
The Blasters secured a 2-1 victory against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, which also happened to be their first victory of the season, courtesy of Victor and Fransico. When asked how the win would motivate the Blasters ahead of the clash against the Highlanders, Ashley Westwood answered.
“Yeah, of course, it is always nice to get the first win, for the guys’ motivation, it was important for that, the way we coach, the way we try and bring the atmosphere of togetherness in the squad of players, it is enough for us to generate the motivation and for themselves to generate that. At the end of the day, you are playing football in the ISL, representing Kerala Blasters, and you have the responsibility to be motivated to yourselves.“
“Any players who are not motivated will not be a part of the squad. It’s obviously good for the morale and the team spirit to get the first win, but we have been working really hard to stay focused and take every game as it comes, and we do not have many left, so you know the motivation is to play well, impress me and the management and to keep your place in the club, because that’s what football is all about and if not you’ll be not a part of the club or your job”
Thoughts on NorthEast United FC
“I think NorthEast are in a false position, to be honest. They are tricky, they have a good coach, they have an idea of how to play, they have an in-possession system, they have a different out-of-possession system, and the press collectively makes it different for the opponents. I also told the players that this is a tough game. When we look at the Delhi game, NorthEast were statistically better, and the game didn’t look like a 3-0 loss to them, same as our game against Delhi, where we were not supposed to lose 2-0.”
“But this is football, that scoreline was false, and we need to improve ourselves, we need to be on our game, if we have to get out of the match. We are not seeing them as a team down the bottom of the league, I think they were a lot better than the league table suggests”
On Relegation and Morale
With the first win of the season secured, the Blasters have now escaped the relegation trap, which has been concerning them since gameweek one. When asked about the possibility of moving out of the relegation trap on a short-term basis and the players’ morale ahead of the match, Ashley Westwood replied.
“Yeah, the morale is good, the confidence is improved, we can wave magic wands and give our hundred per cent. I spoke before the Bengaluru FC game; the talk of relegation for me is fictional. I don’t think we will be anywhere near that. I said that before coming, with the players we have, we won’t be hanging around the relegation, with the kind of platform we are providing, I was not concerned.”
“Five home games are a fantastic chance to get some points on the board. But of course, we must do our hard work, be humbled, and improve. I have always been a believer that if you do your job properly as a coach and player, the points table will take care of itself.”
On the fans’ boycott
“We need the fans, it is as simple as that. Every football club in the world needs fans. We can only give our job as a coach and player, which we are now starting to do, and hopefully the fans will see that in our performances, they will see the way the players are working as hard as possible, till the final minute, see the character we are trying to develop, after going 1-0 down against Delhi, being the better side, going 1-0 down against Bengaluru, away where we have never won and coming back, showing character.”
“We will guarantee that till the end of the season, and in every game, we will show a level of commitment and desirable performance in every game. As a fan, if I am watching, that is something I want to see, and we can only promise that we will give that. We can’t promise wins, but we can certainly promise a level of performance and work ethic that you will be proud of as a fan. The players need them, I don’t personally, although I like them here. To help the players, the club obviously support the club, and that’s it across the world. Help the players as much as you can, as much as I am trying, and we can get results”
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