Highlanders, Blasters to kick-start ISL 3

The first match pits hosts NorthEast United FC (Highlanders) with Kerala Blasters at the Indira Gandhi Stadium here. Curiously, it will be the third consecutive opening clash rivalry between the two franchises with NorthEast winning 1-0 in 2014 at home and losing 1-3 in 2015 at Kochi. Blasters, runners-up in 2014, had a trouble-filled campaign last year with much chopping and changing in the team management. With new co-owners funding fresh expectations, they have handed the managerial reigns to Englishman Steve Coppell and drafted in forward Michael Chopra and defender Cedric Hengbart after 2014. Northern Ireland’s international Aaron Hughes is their marquee player. NorthEast, under new coach Portuguese Nelo Vingada, have always focused on their young regional players to form the core of the squad with Ivorian Didier Zokora proving the experience and leadership as the marquee man.