Objective is to finish in top six, says KBFC coach Ivan Vukomanovic

The tactician also spoke about the club's vision.

Kerala Blasters FC and Chennaiyin FC match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Monday. Sahal Abdul Samad gave Kerala Blasters the lead in the first half. KBFC’s former player Vincy Barretto scored an equaliser in the early minutes of the second half. The Marina Machans are just below the final playoff spot, while KBFC are in the fourth position with 19 Points. 

Ivan Vukomanovic met the media for the post-match press conference to discuss his side’s performance. Here’s what the Kerala Blasters coach said:

Ivan Vukomanovic about the match

The coach said that he knew that the game will not be so easy for his team. He added that he always feels happy to play these kinds of derbies in which both teams aim for nothing but a win. According to him, the team should have to give their best effort to achieve a good result.

“We knew before the game that Kerala Blasters coming to Chennai is never easy. So speaking about the statistics of last season where we had two victories, it's always nice to participate in this kind of derby. It gives something extra from the physical side, from the motivational side and if you want to achieve in this kind of game you have to be hundred percent ready. You have to be focused and concentrated in every second of the game. I think we arrived with an idea of how we wanted to play offensively and defensively in possession without the ball.”

Coach admitted that his side had more control in the first half but lost it somewhere in the second half when they conceded a goal. He also said that KBFC pulled out efforts to score later also but unfortunately it didn’t happen. Ivan Vukomanovic mentioned that after back-to-back victories it's sad to get a draw but the club is focusing to go in a positive direction. He reckoned that the team’s objective is to end up in the top six.

“We started a little bit sloppy then we got back into the game. In the first half we got control of the game. Most of the first half we scored one goal from one nice moment. We wanted to stay well organised and I think the only tactical mistake that we made was in the beginning of the second half when we conceded a goal. In these kinds of games both teams want to go for a victory.

"Then as a coach we want to try to manage the situations, try to calm down your players to stay organised. For us we wanted to go in a positive flow. After five victories back to back we want to stay in a positive rhythm which is very important. Because our objective is to end up in the top six and play in the play-offs.”

Coach about fans’ support in Chennai

Ivan Vukomanovic said that he is always happy for the fans. According to him, football is nothing without fans as they play for fans. He described fans’ support as marvelous for supporting the team in both home and away matches.

“It is absolutely marvelous to have a kind of fan support in home and away games. Because this is part of football. In my football understanding, we play football for the fans. This is kind of a complete puzzle that without fans it's not the same. Coming back to the last season it was off it was really not nice. Without fans it’s nothing.

"So whenever we came to the stadiums whether it's home or away seeing our fans opposite fans this is kind of rivalry also it was really nice to see them. So big thanks to all of them who arrived today to support us. We will see next week in Kochi for the next two games.”

Coach about club’s vision

The coach said that the club is more focussing on giving chances to young players. Their vision and idea were to have some youngsters in the first squad. Ivan Vukomanovic mentioned that they are not focusing only on the growth of the club but also on the future of Indian football.

“As Kerala Blasters we can never organize and behave like some other clubs who have bigger budgets, who can afford to buy and do anything they want. We are a club with vision and ideas always having some youngsters coming into the first squad trying to develop young players, and giving them chances. Because it's not only about the future of our club, it's also about the future of Indian football. So it's very important to us.”