Kibu Vicuna provides updates on Facundo Pereyra, Nishu Kumar

The tactician shed light on the club’s preparation ahead of the next game.

Kerala Blasters may have missed out on a playoffs position yet again, but will look to play for pride in their next Indian Super League (ISL) assignment against Hyderabad FC. Kibu Vicuna and his men could play party spoiles for the Nizams, who are looking to secure their first-ever playoffs finish.

During the pre-match interaction, the coach was joined by Denechandra Meitei and the duo presented their views ahead of the game.

Planning for next season

Kibu Vicuna was asked if the club have begun taking decisions regarding personnel for the next season, given the fact that they do not have a realistic chance of making the playoffs. He answered, “We are only focused on these three games, especially tomorrow's game against Hyderabad. We analyzed the game (against Odisha), we are correcting and training on the things that we have to improve. We’ll try to play well in these three matches and try to get the nine points.”

Updates on Nishu Kumar & Facundo Pereyra

The tactician also provided an update on the two absentees and where they are on the road to recovery from their injuries. In the context of Nishu Kumar, he said, “He had a problem in his knee since the beginning of the season.

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"He is training in one half of the training session and unfortunately continues to have pain. He is not going to participate in the last three games," he further added. "In the last two days, Facundo did some individual training. He will not play against HFC tomorrow, but hopefully he will be able to help in our last two games,” Vicuna spoke about the attacking midfielder whose quarantine period post-surgery ended on February 13, 2021.

On lack of balance & inefficient transfer dealings

Vicuna shed light on a pertinent issue ailing the Blasters, which is leaking too many goals. Before the start of the season, the club had signed Tiri, who is now performing well for ATK Mohun Bagan. The Spaniard explained the club's decisions in the transfer market and added, “We are working with players we have in the team. I don’t like excuses about which players should be in the team. It’s true that we have a lack of balance, in most of the games we are creating more chances than the opponents, but we are not getting the points.

"What we have to do is work to improve this aspect, we are analyzing and training in the sessions to improve. Hopefully, we are going to improve and also going to score a positive percentage in the chances we create and goals we score.” he continued.

Denechandra Meitei on his stint with Kerala Blasters

Reflecting on his first taste of ISL football with KBFC, Denechandra expressed, “Yes, this is my first season. I have had the chance to play in five games and I am very happy about that. The coach gave me the opportunities and I can do better come the next season.”

Competition with Jessel Carneiro

Being a left-back, the boy from Manipur directly competes with a seasoned player like Jessel Carneiro for the starting place. Speaking in the context of the competition, Denechandra agreed that there is competition between the duo.

“All the players want to play and Jessel is a great player. I am trying to perform better and I will try to play well whenever given the opportunity," he signed off.