"It is very frustrating," Kibu Vicuna reacts to KBFC defeat

The tactician pointed out that he feels his side need to improve in defence.

On Sunday, Kerala Blasters succumbed to their third defeat of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) season, as a rampant Bengaluru FC put four past them in a six-goal entertainer. Speaking after the game, Blasters’ head coach Kibu Vicuna commented on a host of topics, including their defensive mistakes and the winless streak.

On the turning points of the game

Kibu Vicuna believes that the match was decided mainly at two different points – one when Bengaluru FC scored their first equalizer and the other when they scored their second and third goals, within the span of just two minutes.

“There were two turning points,” he said. “Bengaluru FC’s equalizer and later when they scored two goals in two minutes.”

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On conceding four goals, missing Costa Nhamoinesu and using Lalruatthara as his replacement

Kerala Blasters were without their first-choice centre-back in Costa Nhamoinesu. The Zimbabwean was serving a one-match ban for his red card against FC Goa last week.

After the match, Vicuna admitted that they missed his services. “We played with Bakary Kone and Lalruatthara in defence. It is true that we conceded too many goals today. We cannot afford to give away four goals if we want to succeed. We have to be more solid defensively,” he said. “Lalruatthara had been training with us as a central defender and he had been performing well so far. I thought he was the best option to partner with Kone tonight.”

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The tactician was also very disappointed at having conceded goals through individual mistakes, especially after having taken the lead early on in the game. “It is very frustrating. In the initial stages of the match, we were defending well. We are conceding too much and in my opinion, we have to improve in defence. During training, we had prepared for situations like blocking the crosses to the far post, but tonight (Sunil) Chhetri scored from one such chance,” he explained.

“Our only option is to work harder to solve these problems.”

On the positives from the match

After going winless in five matches for the first time in the ISL, Kerala Blasters look very much in trouble right now. Vicuna himself agreed to it, as he said, “It is very difficult to derive positives at this stage. Nevertheless, we scored from a good counter-attack. It is also very difficult to score two goals against a team like Bengaluru FC. But, like I said earlier, we conceded four goals in return and are very disappointed. We have got a lot of work to do.”

Related: Bengaluru FC whip Kerala Blasters in ISL’s southern derby

On Sahal Abdul Samad’s availability

23-year-old midfielder Sahal Abdul Samad has been left out of the past two matchday squads due to an injury. Upon being asked about his recovery and a potential return to the playing XI, the coach said that he is recovering well.

“Hopefully, Sahal will be available for selection in the next game,” the 48-year-old said. Khel Now also understands that the player has been training individually for the past few days and that he is yet to regain full match fitness.

On the five-match winless streak

As mentioned earlier, the Yellow Army are yet to register their first win this season, having lost three matches and drawn twice. “Yes, it is true that we have only two points from five matches. This is not the start that we expected, but it is now time for us to be brave. We have to work better and harder, as now we are in a difficult situation,” Vicuna said, when asked for comment.

Speaking about Sergio Cidoncha’s potential replacement, he revealed, “We are trying to complete the team and are working to find someone soon.”

On the upcoming game against SC East Bengal

Kerala Blasters will face SC East Bengal in their next game. The Kolkata giants are also yet to register their first win in the league. In addition, they are also yet to score their maiden ISL goal.

Kibu Vicuna agreed that the game is a must-win for his team. “We have to prepare for the upcoming game against SC East Bengal. We will be working extra hard in training, starting tomorrow,” he signed off.

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