Kerala Blasters FC defender Enes Sipovic expressed delight at keeping a clean sheet after his team’s hard-fought goalless draw against NorthEast United FC in their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 match, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Margao, Goa.

The Bosnian centre-back combined well with Marko Leskovic at the heart of the defence and denied the Highlanders even a single shot on target in the entire evening. This comes as a big positive, after conceding four goals against ATK Mohun Bagan in the season opener.

“I think this year is going to be a little bit more difficult because of one less foreigner, but it's a great chance for Indian players to show that they can play good football. I hope we're going to have a good season. NorthEast United FC is a tough team, but to keep clean shit is always nice for me as a defender. If I cannot score, at least let's don't concede,” said Enes Sipovic, after the match.

Meanwhile, NorthEast United FC, also coming on the back of a heavy 2-4 defeat against Bengaluru FC in their opening game, looked much more compact in their defence. Centre-back Hernan Santana, who was awarded the Hero of the Match for his stellar display, stated that they have played much better against the Blasters than the previous game.

“That was a good game for everyone, we played better than the last game. During the last two days we tried to improve and make a difference in this game. I'm very happy for my squad,” said Santana, during the post-match interview.

Despite the 0-0 draw, Kerala Blasters FC were handed a few golden opportunities to take the lead, but they failed to capitalize. Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic feels that they deserved better from the game, given the chances they got in the game.

“If we see the total amount of chances or moments we got during today's game, I think that we deserve maybe to get more, but anyway in a football game, everything is possible. I am new here in India, and if I see the amount of technical errors that are committed during the games and the chances, the situations, that were created today, I think we deserved a bit more,” stated Vukomanovic, after Thursday's match.

Kerala Blasters FC will be up against Bengaluru FC in their next match, on Sunday evening, at the GMC Athletic Stadium, in Bambolim. Meanwhile, NorthEast United FC will take on Chennaiyin FC on November 29, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Margao.