ISL: Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell unhappy with playing at home first
A few days after saying he “fails to understand the purpose of the ISL”, Steve Coppell has said that making his side play the second leg tie of their semifinal away in Delhi makes a “mockery” of the league.
Kerala Blasters manager Steve Coppell isn’t one to pull his punches.
A few days after saying he “fails to understand the purpose of the ISL”, the Englishman has said that making his side play the second leg tie of their semifinal away in Delhi makes a “mockery” of the league.
“This decision makes a mockery of the league. You finish second and still don’t get the opportunity to play at home second. Having said that, home form won’t help us tomorrow,” Coppell told reporters in Kochi on Saturday.
Coppell’s contention is that since his side finished second in the standings at the end of the league phase, Kerala should have played the second leg at Kochi which obviously gives the home side an advantage.
His Delhi counterpart Gianluca Zambrotta admitted that playing the first leg in Kochi would act to their advantage.
“Yes, of course it will be an advantage to play the second leg at home as it will help us mentally to play in front of home support. I don’t know why the ISL has taken the decision but we have to accept it,” the Italian said.