Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 league debutants Bengaluru FC ended 2017 on a fantastic note, as they defeated hosts Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. Captain Sunil Chhetri’s penalty and Miku’s brace ensured that their fans earned bragging rights in the season’s third southern derby. After 90 minutes of intense football, indiansuperleague.com caught up with the Blues’ delighted midfielder Edu Garcia for his thoughts on the victory and the year ahead. Here are the excerpts.

Tell us your thoughts about the match.

It was a very difficult match. The atmosphere was very hot. In the first half we tried, but couldn’t score. In the second half, we had more of the ball. We scored three goals in the end. It’s a very important victory.

Most of Bengaluru’s shots were going straight at the keeper. Your view on that?

In the first half we played well, but their goalkeeper (Subhasish Roy) is good. This is football. Sometimes you score and sometimes you shoot, and the ball goes outside.

How important was the win against an opponent like the Blasters?

I think Kerala is a very difficult team and for us, we got a win after two matches. It was important for us to continue at the top of the table.

A quick word on your fans - the West Block Blues.

The West Block Blues are incredible. I played in Spain where football is very, very important. Our supporters here are incredible. Thank you for everything and we need them.

We saw you going up to the stands. Is your family here?

Yes, I have my family here to celebrate the end of the year. With the victory, it is even better. My family is very important to me. Now we head to the new year with my mates and my family. We will continue fighting.