Kerala Blasters have been in sensational form this season in the Indian Super League as they reigned supreme against Jamshedpur FC with a 3-1 win at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. This win helped the Blasters stretch their winning streak to eight matches and coach Ivan Vukomanovic was very pleased with his team’s performance.
Apostolos Giannouhanded the hosts an early lead in the game but it was short lived as Daniel Chima Chukwu restored parity for Jamshedpur FC. However the game once again opened up when Kerala Blasters got a penalty and Dimitrios Diamantakos converted it from the spot to give the hosts the lead once again going into the halftime break. The second half was also similar like the first as Adrian Luna finished off a beautiful team play to score the third goal for the Blasters and also take all three points at home.
This was the first time in ISL history that the Blasters had an eight game unbeaten streak and this was also their eighth win of the season which allowed them to take over ATK Mohun Bagan’s place in third position on the points table.
“We are in the most important part of the season. The whole of December and the first half of January are crucial for the Hero ISL. If as a team if you are able to stay in a positive line and collect the points, try to stay unbeatable, then you are on the right path,” said a delighted Vikomanovic at the post match press conference.
The Serbian tactician reminisces how the club has struggled for many years and now they are finally doing the good work of being among the best in the last couple of seasons. It makes him really happy to see his players go out there and dominate oppositions and play quality football.
“Of course, when you sit again in a positive flow and positive momentum of eight games in a row without a defeat, for Kerala Blasters FC, it is something special. Seeing our past..not only last season, but the previous season where as a club, we were struggling a lot to reach higher levels. And now, for the second season in a row, we are among the best and we want to stay here. As a coach, I was delighted to see the boys enjoying this game playing nice quality football, with combinations. It was a pleasure. I’m happy with the victory and we hope to continue in a good way,” he added.
Lastly he felt that despite Luna’s third goal and his team having a two goal cushion, the Blasters struggled in the second to some extent due to change in system from Jamshedpur FC which caught them off guard a little bit but they held their own and did not concede in that period.
“In the second half it was a little bit of struggle because they changed the system and then it was an open fight. We knew we had to deal with the long balls. We knew we had to deal with the duels and second balls and again, the boys were good. We knew that we were in a difficult moment. As a team we don’t want to be casual and we want to continue in the same way.”
“We are delighted with the three points because now we are third in the Hero ISL standings. We have more points than last season in this period. With a positive flow of eight games in a row without defeat, we hope to continue the same way,” the Kerala Blasters boss signed off.
The Yellow Army will be next involved in a top of the table clash against Mumbai City FC on 8th January. The Islanders are in scintillating form and have been unbeaten till this season whereas the Blasters are also going through a eight game unbeaten streak, so it will be interesting to see if any of the two streaks comes to an end or not.
