Doha: Indian football fans in Qatar are getting ready to support their teams in the Indian Super League (ISL) final as Kerala Blasters FC will take on Hyderabad FC on Sunday, March 20, 2022 at the PJN Stadium in Goa.
The group matches till the semifinals were played in front of empty stadiums due to Covid-19 precautionary measures. The rules have been eased for the finals and a full stadium is expected as the Blasters fans, known as Manjappada (yellow army), are known for filling the stadiums whenever their team plays.
Kerala Blasters players celebrating after winning the semi-final.
Far away from the stadium, in Qatar, the fans of the club are all thrilled that their team has reached the final. They arrange big screens to view the matches for Manjapada members in Qatar and are expecting a full house for the final.
Kerala Blasters supporters at the big-screen viewing of the semi-final.
“It has been a long-awaited moment, we are not able to make it to the stands in Goa, but will watch together and celebrate every moment with the fans here. The hard work of the players, the technical and coaching staff has yielded this result. We as fans got much more than what we could have asked for,” Deepesh Govindan Kutty, Manjappada Qatar President, told The Peninsula.
“The match will be tough and intense. Seeing the character and mentality shown by the team this season, we are a tough team to beat and we are expecting a positive result,” he added.
Hyderabad FC coach and players celebrate entering the final of ISL.
After securing a berth at the final, Blasters’s head coach Ivan Vukomanovic sent a special message to the fans post their semi-final victory over Jamshedpur FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium, Goa.
“We need you to fight with us. We will do our best for you (fans). We have been missing you throughout the season, but now we want to see you. We want to see that yellow sea. We are waiting for you guys. Come on (in the Stadiums) on Sunday,” said Vukomanovic said.
His side climbed the summit top with a 2-1 win on aggregate against Jamshedpur FC.
Luna is now hopeful that the team will be able to win it for the fans and had a message for all the fans waiting for Kerala Blasters FC to lift the silverware.
“You feel the love (from fans) on social media. Every day they are texting us, sending us letters Hopefully, we can give them this trophy for which they have waited for so long.”
Hyderabad FC’s coach, Manuel Marquez, also said that “with people in the stands it would be a good final.”
“I want our fans to be there, I know that Manjappada, Kerala has a lot of fans. I want to tell Hyderabad supporters that it would be very good if they can come to PJN Stadium on Sunday,” he added.
His side qualified for their first Hero ISL final with a 3-2 victory against ATK Mohun Bagan on aggregate.
