ISL 2021-22: We played a good game despite missing key players – Kerala Blasters FC’s Ivan Vukomanovic

Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic was satisfied with his team’s performance despite a 2-1 loss against table-toppers Hyderabad FC in the 99th match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Wednesday. With this win, Hyderabad has qualified for the semifinal stages.

On the other hand, Ivan Vukomanovic stated that they were missing their key players as they are currently injured but at the same time didn’t want to make this as an excuse. The Yellow Army decided to give youngsters their deserved chances in the match.

In fact, Kerala Blasters FC had 52% of possession while they also took seven shots on target but they could only convert a single attempt. With this loss, Kerala Blasters stay in fifth place in the standings with seven wins and 27 points from 17 matches. Vukomanovic stated that it is important for them to finish on a high in the remaining three matches and they can still finish among the top four teams of the league.

Vukomanovic said in the post-match press conference, “Well, it is not hard. But I think that we played a good game despite a group of players that were missing, but I won’t use that as an excuse because the players who were not with us today are injured and we have to go with the group that we have. So, today we arrived with some youngsters. We wanted to give them a chance and time, to get the feeling of playing against the team from the top of the table, to compete, and to feel the strength and power of ISL. We played a good game and we faced a very good opponent. Speaking about the fact that we started the game with some difficulties, then we got back into the game. After the first goal went in, we knew that when you’re facing top players that you have to win duels, you have to win those moments because these kinds of details make the difference.

He added, “After the first goal, we got back the grip of the game, we were good, and then we created some chances that we couldn’t score. Today and yesterday, we were talking that when you are facing this kind of opponent, you must score those chances because you will not get lots of them. So, when you get those chances, you must be focused. In the first half, and also in the second half, it was not the case, we had good moments, we had control of the game and then those chances that we created we didn’t score. I’m happy for, for example, Rahul who played again after the 19th of November. I was happy to see him back on the pitch.

He continued, “Then, after the second goal again, we wanted to push, we were also the team who wanted to play football, who wanted to show certain things that we are training. And of course, at the end, we scored one nice goal but it was not enough for the points. So now we have to continue working because in three days we’re going to play the next game. We have to continue with our work. We have three games to fight till the end to try to achieve points and try to be on top of the table”.

On the other hand, Ivan Vukomanovic displayed great sportsman spirit as he congratulated Hyderabad FC for reaching the semifinals.

Speaking on the same, Vukomanovic said, “Head Coach Manuel Marquez is a gentleman and a very good coach. He proved that last season and this season as well, Hyderabad FC has performed on the highest level so far. So, from a human side and also as a sportsman, I haven’t seen them on the pitch so, I wanted to congratulate them on their achievement and I wish them all the best because as a sportsman when you lose a game you have to shake hands and congratulate your opponents. This is the sports life and this is the way I was educated and I want to continue like that”.

Kerala Blasters FC will next take on Chennaiyin FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Saturday.