ISL 2022-23: We need to continue with our consistency: Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic

Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic believes the team needs to continue their consistency in the upcoming matches of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League 2022-23. The Tuskers defeated Jamshedpur FC by 1-0 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Sunday to continue their good run.

Dimitrios Diamantakos scored in the 17th minute of the game to give a decisive lead to his team. Kerala Blasters dominated the possession with 61% but could only take two shots on target.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters are currently in fifth place in the standings with five wins and three losses. Ergo, Ivan Vukomanovic’s team has a total of 15 points under their bag.

Sharing his thoughts on the match, Ivan Vukomanovic said in the post-match press conference, “We knew before the game and before we arrived that it would be a very tough game for us. On Saturday, we mentioned that when you play against a team that is coming off four defeats in a row, it does not mean a lot, and maybe their confidence is a bit negative. You can easily be fooled in the trap because these teams are the most dangerous, and if we (Kerala Blasters FC) think after three wins in a row that it is going to be an easy game, then we are wrong. We were hammering on this thing in the past couple of days that we must not think that we are the best or better whatsoever.”

He added, “We need to approach this kind of game with seriousness, full power, and concentration. We know from last year that Jamshedpur FC are not easy to handle, and it is not easy to manage against such teams. This year as well, there is more power, especially up front, and we had to deal with those long balls and long throw ins and physical duels. All those things are very dangerous to manage. We also knew there was a chance to make something happen from the set-pieces like tonight we wanted something to happen a bit different from our playing style, keeping the ball around and having possession while creating the chances. I was glad as a coach to see such things happen on the pitch, and at the end, we are very happy with the three points.”

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC created many chances in the second half through set pieces. Vukomanovic admitted that it put his team under pressure but they were able to handle it.

Vukomanovic said, “Absolutely. The set-pieces are one of the strengths of this Jamshedpur FC team, but whenever you are under pressure with the long throw-ins or corner kicks, there is a slight chance that you will concede goals. They had a couple of headers in that situation, and we were very lucky to not concede. They (Jamshedpur FC) are a very strong team, and if we allow them to come into the box, put you under pressure, and let them play with their style, then you are down and have no chance against them. We wanted to move them away from the goal to keep the possession, try to organise the things like we wanted to play and at the end we are happy with the three points.”

Kerala Blasters FC will take on Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on 11th December.