Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic stated that FC Goa is a dominant side and one of the best teams in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) after the clash ended in a 2-2 draw at Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday.

The Blasters drew the first blood and took a 2-0 lead within the first twenty minutes of play as the instructions from the head coach was to be aggressive up front and press hard that proved to work wonders. However, FC Goa bounced back immediately after to restore parity.

Vukomanovic spoke to the media after the match in the post-match press conference.

Here are the excerpts from the press conference:

Do you think it is a fair result?

If we see the way both teams scored the goals and the way the game was developing in both halves, let’s say that in the end, both the teams can live with one point. Of course, both teams in this situation wanted to win. I also talked with the team yesterday, in the beginning, to press and make a difference in the front, especially in the first half and score some goals, which happened. The way we conceded the goals, I was not pleased with it but anyway it happens in football. We have to deal with it and continue to work hard. We as a team are coming from far away seeing the situation of the tournament since the beginning of the season. We are now eight games without a defeat, we have to continue building up.

FC Goa had more control in the second half while you were defensively solid. Why do you think Kerala could not create many chances in the second half?

We have to be honest, FC Goa is the team that is dominant against all the teams. Whenever they play, they are a dominant side. That’s the team with the philosophy and the way of playing with possession while trying to find an opening. Defensively, we were solid, we were running a lot and we were trying to close all the gaps. We know this team of Goa is very dangerous especially after the goals we conceded. So, we wanted to stay organised, focussed and we knew this game was going to be tough like that. Goa is one of the best teams in the league. They deserve to be in a higher position than they are currently in the competition. 

Do you think there is a lack of defensive skill all around the league with great goals scored?

You have to take into consideration the conditions. If you play on a very good pitch, with balls evolving every year, getting faster, more difficult for keeper’s to catch and all these things happen all around the globe. It happens, it is football. The players are doing their best and I am really proud of the way they responded.