Kerala Blasters FC succumbed to a 2 – 1 setback at the hands of FC Goa in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Sunday. In a match where the hosts dominated for large phases, Ferran Corominas and Edu Bedia struck on either side of a CK Vineeth equaliser to bag all three points and hand Kerala their second consecutive defeat under the management of David James.

The Englishman spoke to the media in the post-match press conference and lauded his team for their effort, while also expressing his bemusement at being denied a penalty which he believed ultimately changed the contest. “I thought the team did very well tonight. It’s difficult when you get into a one-against-one position in the box, the player goes around, gets brought down, and it’s waved on. It’ a clear penalty, especially in a game where we had started to dominate. Very frustrating for the players because of the effort they put in. And frustrating for everyone involved for Kerala, because that ought to be a game we would win,” James said.

He further added, “That one decision (the penalty) changed the game. Unfortunately, that is football; we have to get on with it. Once again, the players have put in a superb effort. But ultimately, it’s Goa who go away with three points. And now it’s pretty much win every game going forward. It is going to be a tough challenge, but we have players who are ready to do that.”

The 47-year-old also highlighted captain Sandesh Jhingan’s performance, and praised his efforts, seeing that he continued playing after picking up a niggle in the second half. “What Sandesh has done for me has been superb,” James stated. “He’s really conducted himself well, in fact he’s improved in certain areas of his game which I’m delighted with. And I thought today he was big, very big. That’s what I want from my captain. He turned his ankle in the second half and still continued, put in crosses which could have got us a draw in a situation we could have been leading.”

The former Liverpool custodian went on to praise the Gaurs for their performance but rued the fact that they conceded the winner from a set-piece. “We are talking about a Goa side who will go top of the league if they win their games in hand,” James said. “They have been the best team in this league so far. They are a thoroughly decent side. And as I said, at one point a decision goes against us, and we would have been in the league had that gone for us… Disappointed that it’s our first corner from which we have conceded this season. So, defensively from set plays we have been very good up until that second goal.”