ISL 2022-23: The first 25 minutes made the difference – Kerala Blasters FC’s Ivan Vukomanovic

Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic feels the first 25 minutes of the game against Mumbai City FC made all the difference. Vukomanovic admitted his team was dominated in the first quarter of play as the Islanders took a 4-0 lead in the first 22 minutes.

Mumbai City FC went on to win comprehensively at the Mumbai Football Arena against Kerala Blasters on Sunday to continue the good form. Pereyra Diaz gave the lead to the home team in the fourth minute whereas Greg Stewart went on to double it in the 10th minute of the game.

Bipin Singh then found the back of the net in the 16th minute while Diaz completed his brace in the 22nd minute. In fact, Kerala Blasters could only take a solitary shot on target throughout the whole match.

The Tuskers head coach Ivan Vukomanovic was disappointed with his team’s performance in the first 22 minutes as they were found wanting.

“Well, the first 25 minutes (made the difference). As a team, when you face the best team in the league, you must know that it starts from the first (whistle). Tonight for us as a team, which makes me angry and disappointed is that it took us only 25 minutes to get into the game, you know? And when you face this kind of (match), you must not afford it. It’s unacceptable,” Vukomanovic said at the post-match conference.

“We knew that it would be a tough game. Our opponents have individual qualities and you have to deal with certain patterns, how to win duels, and many other things in these kind of games. And it was disappointing. For the first 25 minutes, we were not to be seen,” he added.

The Serbian admitted his team made mistakes for which they had to pay the price and the opposition showed why they are at the top of the points table.

“We conceded the fourth goal, after individual mistakes, wrong movements. When you play against top teams, these small details make a difference. This is how it is, especially, when you play against a team at the top of the table. So Mumbai City FC showed so far that they are the best in the league with reason,” he said.

Kerala Blasters will next take on FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa on 22nd January.