Kerala Blasters FC salvaged a draw against SC East Bengal after Jeakson Singh scored a header in second half injury time during Match 35 of Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2020-21 on Sunday. At the post-match press conference, Kerala Blasters head coach Kibu Vicuna was proud of his team’s performance and said that his side did deserve a draw.

“It was a deserved goal that Jeakson scored. I am proud of the players in terms of the attitude and the fighting spirit that we saw till the end of the second half. We wanted the three points and our first victory. We showed that we can create chances and play well, we can take the three points in the next match.”

The Spaniard was also of the opinion that this was Kerala’s best performance this season. “We wanted to have the ball more than the opponent and we had it. We created chances and we had different possibilities and I think that this was the best match we have played,” said Vicuna.

Kerala Blasters replaced their striker Gary Hooper at the break and the Spaniard explained why this was done. “Gary is an important player for us. He had some muscular problems so I decided to change him and put Jordan Murray on the pitch.”

Watch Kibu Vicuna's Post-Match Press conference here:

Meanwhile, SC East Bengal head coach Robbie Fowler gave vent to his frustration after the draw and called for better finishing from his frontline. “We are disappointed. It was a game that we dominated and should have won. We had enough chances to win [the game] more than once. We have proved again that we can compete and create chances but we need to be more clinical in the final third,” he said.

Fowler however heaped praise on Hero-of-the-Match Anthony Pilkington. “He brings a lot of quality. He is a great player as was demonstrated tonight. He has been one of our better players this season. He can bring others into the game and he puts in a good work ethic,” said the English head coach.

Watch Robbie Fowler's Post-Match Press conference here: