Frank Dauwen: We're still uncertain about Adrian Luna's injury

Frank Dauwen also spoke about youngsters stepping up to fill the boots of experienced campaigners.

After a thrilling encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, Kerala Blasters FC emerged victorious with a 1-0 scoreline over Punjab FC. The match saw a remarkable turnaround in the second half, culminating in a penalty scored by Dimitrios Diamantakos that secured the win for the Blasters.

Assistant coach Frank Dauwen addressed the media in the post-match press conference. He acknowledged the team’s strong performance but also reflected on the missed opportunities.

Missed opportunities haunt Blasters’ dominant display

Coach Dauwen expressed satisfaction with the team’s dominant second-half performance but acknowledged missed opportunities. He mentioned, “We had good offensive moments but couldn’t convert. Our control and pressing led to a penalty, but not scoring a second goal proved crucial.”

Defensive resilience despite foreign player adjustments

Regarding the defensive prowess displayed, particularly after Punjab’s late attacking surge, Frank Dauwen praised the team’s resilience. “The entire defense performed admirably. Today, we adapted by fielding two foreigners (defenders) due to Luna’s absence, altering our usual lineup of one foreigner and an Indian player. The organization was solid, and the defense stood strong,” he commented.

Impact of Luna’s absence and rising talent

Adrian Luna’s absence was felt, prompting questions about its impact on the team’s attacking prowess. “Luna is a key player for us, one of the best in the league,” Dauwen emphasized. “His absence, along with various injuries and suspensions this season, forced alterations in our starting lineup. Despite these challenges, players like Mohammed Azhar stepped up impressively,” he said.

Speaking on the progress of younger talents like Vibin Mohanan, Dauwen highlighted, “Vibin, alongside Azhar, filled crucial gaps in midfield today. Their performance in the absence of players like Jeakson Singh and Danish Farooq signals positive growth for the team. As a coach, witnessing their development is incredibly encouraging.”

However, uncertainties linger regarding Luna’s injury. “We’re still uncertain about Luna’s injury,” Frank Dauwen mentioned. “He sustained it during training, and we’re awaiting a club statement to shed light on the situation,” he concluded.

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