Chennai: The threat of rain looms large over the Indian Super League clash on Tuesday between the Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.
The meteorological department has forecast partly cloudy sky with a shower or thunderstorm in the night. It has been raining heavily in Chennai since the last three to four days and the showers stopped only on late Monday.
Chennai will take on the Sachin Tendulkar co-owned Kerala Blasters FC in their first home game in the ISL on Tuesday. Having already won their first away match and with three points in the pot, Chennai would look to further consolidate their position on the points tally with a win at home.
Both the teams came for the practice session on Monday evening but faced a rude shock. The players had to walk through battling knee-deep water at the entrance, forcing the practice to be called off.
However, the situation improved on Tuesday with no further rain and the players hope weather gods show mercy on the 'Southern' derby.
"We couldn't practice on the ground on Monday as it was raining heavily till late evening. But we did some workout in the gym. But today (Tuesday) it has been a bright sunny morning and we hope it stays like that," Chennai defender Gouramangi Singh told IBNLive Sports.
Like players, the home fans too are hopeful to get a game and see their team in action.
"It has been raining heavily here and the showers only stopped on Monday night. We hope there's no more rain today as we are eager to see the match," said Balu, a 22-year-old student.
If the match gets washed out, both the teams will have to settle for one point each.
Chennaiyin FC manager Marco Materazzi on Monday said that his players were raring to go for their first home match against Kerala Blasters on Tuesday.
"They (Kerala Blasters) are a good side but we always try to do our best. Hopefully the rain gods will be with us and we will have a good game on Tuesday. We are all looking forward to the first home game. The players are very excited," Materazzi said.
Chennai, a franchise co-owned by Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan and Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni among others, started their campaign with a 1-2 win over FC Goa in a spirited encounter while Kerala went down to Northeast United FC in their tournament opener.
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