Kerala Blasters FC coach Ivan Vukomanovic believes his side is in middle of a process and is happy with progress his players have made as they prepare for Hyderabad FC in match 55 of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 at Tilak Maidan Stadium, Vasco da Gama on Sunday.

Kerala Blasters FC are fifth in the league table with 14 points in nine matches. They have three wins, five draws and a loss. KBFC are only two points away from moving back into the top four.

Kerala Blasters FC played a 2-2 draw against FC Goa in their last match. After going 2-0 up inside the first twenty minutes, KBFC gave away the lead and had to settle for a point. They managed only six shots on goal to FC Goa’s 14.

Ahead of Kerala Blasters FC’s match against Hyderabad FC, coach Vukomanovic addressed the media during the official pre-match press conference.

Here are the excerpts from Vukomanovic’s press conference.

Hyderabad FC were top of the table till yesterday’s match, what do you make of them?

Well, we have to praise them because they are working consistently for the second year in a row. They are not top of the table by coincidence, they deserve to be there. They have had a strategy and now it’s showing good results. Nothing happens overnight in football. When you work consistently it gives you results. They are doing a great job.

Kerala Blasters FC are solid defensively but have not been clinical upfront, does it concern you?

It’s our reality. Like all teams, you have your strengths and weaknesses. We are trying to find the balance this season. It means we are trying not to concede many goals and at the same time get composed and organised in our playing style. We are in the middle of a process and I am glad with the way we are progressing.

It has been a tight league this season so how important is it to close the match after taking the lead?

We have seen a hundred something goals in just fifty or so games. It’s unbelievable. When somebody takes a lead the game doesn’t become easier for them. You have to work hard, remain concentrated, win duels and stay organised till the final whistle. We have seen so many games with momentum shifting very quickly. I think we have been managing our game well even when the momentum has shifted.

Is KBFC looking to recruit players in the January transfer window?

Yes our management is in talks with interesting options. From our perspective, sometimes things don’t go how we want them to. If it’s feasible to bring a player who wants to play for us and brings something extra to the team then we would try to get that player.