ISL 2023-24: We had the chances to score – Ivan Vukomanovic after loss against East Bengal FC

Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic admitted they had their chances to score after their 2-4 loss against East Bengal FC in the 20th match week of the ongoing Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kochi on Wednesday.

Černych scored in the 23rd minute to give the lead to the home side. However, Saul Crespo scored in the stoppage time of the first half to equalize for the visitors through a penalty.

Crespo scored his second of the evening in the 71st minute to give a lead to the Red and Gold Brigade. Naorem Mahesh Singh then strengthened East Bengal’s lead to 3-1 but Hijazi Maher scored an own goal after two minutes to keep up the interest in the game.

However, Naorem was able to put the game to bed as he scored his second of the evening to give a thumping win to his team.

Meanwhile, Kerala Blasters FC had 39.1% of possession and took four shots on target. Jeakson Singh and Naocha Singh were sent off, reducing the Yellow Tuskers to nine men.

“When you are playing with men down to nine, down to eight, it’s game over. Even at 1-1 or 2-1, we had the chances. We could have scored. But again, the chances that you don’t score, you get punished on the other side. It’s again, the lack of quality, the lack of final pass, final touch, these are the kind of things that we are dealing with this season,” he said in the post-match press conference.

The Serbian tactician added it is imperative for his team to stay positive to get the best out of them.

“Whether you win games or lose games, whatever happens, issues, injuries, you try to stay positive because this is the way that you will improve your life. Of course, now, we are happy as a club. We must be honest and say we are somewhere where we wanted to be. Even this year, we couldn’t control certain things, losing certain key players which may have led us to some other heights, but anyway, today we are here (in the playoffs) and we have to continue with positivity,” he stated.

“Especially now till the 12th of April, playing two more games. Tomorrow (Thursday) morning we are leaving for Guwahati and going with that, going with the fixtures, prepare as good as possible for the playoffs and hopefully try to make a surprise and achieve something nice as the underdogs,” he expressed.

Kerala Blasters FC will next face NorthEast United at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on Saturday.