ISL 2021-22: We are happy because we managed to beat a tough team – Ivan Vukomanovic

Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic was delighted after his team defeated Hyderabad FC by 1-0 in the 55th match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League season at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday. Vukomanovic was happy as he said that they managed to beat a side that is tough to defeat.

Alviro Vasquez scored in the 42nd minute for Kerala Blasters as the Men in Yellow were able to bag three points. Thus, Ivan Vukomanovic’s team was able to climb to the numero uno position in the points table as this was their fourth win of the season out of their 10th game. Kerala Blasters have a total of 17 points under their belt.

Ivan Vukomanovic said in the post-match presentation, “I think that tonight we played against one of the best teams in the league. I think that we played against one of the best organised teams in the league. Well balanced, the team was working consistently for a while since last year. I think that they have a great team. It’s a team that is very tough to beat and we are happy because we managed that tonight, and we managed not to concede a goal”.

He continued, “Speaking about the table position, we are not occupied. And we are not busy with all these statistics, because we have to know, we have to be honest that there are still ten more games, there are still 30 points to collect, to fight for. For us, every game is like a final. For us, every game is like a fight. And we have to continue like that. That’s the only way that we can collect points. That’s the only way that you can survive in this league at the top. So we will try to do our best in the second half of this competition, it will be very tough because I think that many teams will now be reorganized, every game for us will be tough like today. So, of course, today with these three points, we are very happy. I’m very proud of these boys. I’m very happy for the fans because I hope they enjoyed tonight”.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters only had 46% of the possession while they took a total of five shots on target as compared to Hyderabad FC’s 54%. Vukomanovic added that it isn’t the stat that matters completely in football and they wanted to press the opposition in certain parts of the pitch, which they were able to successfully do.

He added, “Exactly, because we knew that from ball possession standards, we could have less ball in our possession. But you know in football, that’s not the main statistic that will give you guarantee to win the game. We wanted tonight to press them high in one certain part of the pitch. We wanted to recover the ball in part of the pitch. We wanted to be clinical in our transition, we had created many chances like that. I think in the first half even a second call we had these moments and then we were missing that efficiency or the last pass in the box where we could have even scored more goals. But anyway we should be happy with three points, that’s the only thing that counts”.

On the other hand, Seityasen Singh made a move from Kerala Blasters to Hyderabad FC on loan and played against his former team. Vukomanovic heaped praise on Singh and added that he is happy for him.

He concluded, “Well, I think since we started, Seityasen is a very important player wherever he is playing. This is the guy with a great mindset, great mentality, great team character. From one side, I’m sorry that he quit our club that he went on loan to Hyderabad. From the other side, of course, it was his choice because he wanted to get even more playing time. So you know sometimes there are situations that you can’t choose but you are chosen by the situation. So that was a decision and I’m happy for him. I happy for him that he will get even more playing time if it’s the case. And of course, because he’s a great guy. I like him a lot. I wish him all the best for the future”.

Kerala Blasters will next face Mumbai City FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday.