I am satisfied because it is a positive result, exclaims Kerala Blasters Boss Ivan Vukomanovic

Ivan Vukomanovic praised both sides for playing in a difficult condition.

Kerala Blasters FC took another step towards securing playoff qualification for the ongoing 2023-24 season of the Indian Super League after a 1-1 draw with Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Saturday. Dimitrios Diamantakos scored the opening goal of the game in the first half but Javier Siverio equalized shortly after before the halftime break.

Ivan Vukomanovic, in the post-match press conference, lauded both sets of players for giving their utmost in extremely hot weather conditions. He pointed out how the international break pushed him to rest some players and made it tough to deliver a consistent performance for the duration of the game because of the fatigue.

Here are the excerpts from the conversation with the Kerala Blasters FC head coach.

Happy with the result

Ivan Vukomanovic indicated that the result was a positive one and qualifying for the playoffs for the third time in a row is a major achievement for the club which makes him happy. In this regard, Ivan said, “On one side I am satisfied because it is a positive result. We had a couple of bad results, lost two games, and were since long on the edge of qualifying for the playoffs.”

“Not using it as an excuse regarding injuries to players and things going against us but everyone in Kerala Blasters FC should be happy because qualifying for the third year in a row in playoffs is such an achievement for the club. It never happened in the history of the club,” Ivan Vukomanovic further said.

Playing in difficult conditions

The Kerala Blasters FC tactician pointed out how the playing conditions were not “I have to praise all the players from both sides for playing this kind of game in these unhuman conditions as it was so hot. It was exhausting for the players and they did their best. It was very difficult to play at a high level in the so-called first game after the (international) break.”

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