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ISL 2016: North-East United v/s Kerala FC Blasters – live streaming and where to watch on TV in India

TV Channel: Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD 1

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TV Channel: Star Sports 1 and Star Sports HD 1

Live Stream: Hotstar

​Timings: 7 PM 

NorthEast United FC, playing their opening match for the first time at home, will hope to find the winning touch from the word go against Kerala Blasters in the opening match of the third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) in Guwahati on Saturday.

NorthEast have been notoriously slow starters, coming into their own only after the first few matches of the league. It's hurt them badly in the previous two seasons, as they have been unable to qualify for semifinals for two consecutive years. 

However, as they get to host the opening ceremony as well as the opening tie for the first time, NorthEast will be eager to hit the ground running.
More so because they've had a few problems in the pre-season. Their two summer signings, Fabio Neves and Sasha Aneff, are injured and will sit out of the opening clash, providing Portuguese manager Nelo Vingada with a selection headache even before the first match. With plenty of other options available, Vingada, fondly called The Professor, should not be fretting much though.

The Highlanders’s strength lies in the midfield, as the likes of Yusa Katsumi, Seityasen Singh, Fanai Lalrempuia and Ivory Coast’s most capped player Didier Zokora are expected to dominate the battle for control. Up front, Argentinean striker Nicolas Velez is a safe bet, while Mailson Alves will be the key man in defence.
The Blasters, meanwhile, also have ambitions of their own and will look for full points as they launch their campaign away from home. With former Manchester United winger Steve Coppell now managing the team, the Blasters have an experienced campaigner in charge.

The visitors’ strength rests with their defence, where Northern Ireland star Aaron Hughes – with over 100 international caps – will shoulder heavy responsibilities alongside Cedric Hengbart who returns to the team after a year with NorthEast United. Players like Elhadji Ndoye and Azrack Mahamat can be used in multiple positions, giving Coppell plenty of options.
Antonio German, who scored six times while also providing three assists for the Blasters last season, will be the key man upfront and could possibly be joined by either Mohammad Rafi or Thongkhosiem Haokip, only the second Indian to score a hat-trick in the ISL.

With inputs from agencies 

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