Deserving finalists Calicut and Forca Kochi to battle it out for Super League Kerala crown

High expectations for the Super League Kerala final between Calicut FC and Forca Kochi at Corporation Stadium.

It is only apt that the two teams that finished first and second in the league table should contest the final of the inaugural Super League Kerala. The expectations are high about Sunday night’s clash at the Corporation Stadium between host Calicut FC and Forca Kochi.

When the two sides met in the league phase, Calicut FC won a match (1-0) while the other was drawn (1-1). Calicut is also the league’s highest-scoring team, having pumped in 20 goals on its way to the summit clash.

But the league’s top-scorer is a Kochi striker though – Dori, the Brazilian who has netted five. There are two Calicut players with four goals apiece (Kervens Belfort and Gani Nigam).

Calicut coach Ian Gillan said his team wasn’t going to underestimate Forca. “Their defensive record speaks for itself, and we will need to be smart in breaking them down,” he said. “We have worked on our offensive movements, transitions, and creating spaces to exploit, and we’ll look to put that into action from the first whistle.”

His counterpart Mario Lemos said the final could be a tactical battle. “Our team has worked hard to refine both our defensive organisation and our attacking patterns,” he said.

“We will look to neutralise Calicut’s attacking threats while exploiting the spaces that will open up as the match progresses. It is about finding that perfect balance between defence and attack, and we are confident we can do that against a quality side like Calicut.”

The kick-off is at 8 p.m.