Pleased with the win and three points, says Ivan Vukomanovic

The 44-year-old also spoke highly of goalkeeper Prabhsukhan Gill.

Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic lauded his players after they completed a 3-0 win over Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa on Wednesday. The win and clean-sheet lifted the Yellow Army to third place in the standings, only three points behind league leaders Mumbai City.

After the clash, Vukomanovic spoke in the post-match press conference. He opined that the turnaround in the team’s results was because of the work done by the players in training and their mentality to improve.

Reason for KBFC's resurgence

"In football there are several things, but first of all it's hard work and belief and commitment to the team and the hard work, the belief that you can win every game. These boys, the mentality and mindset they are showing and also the hard work that they put in makes me proud of them," Ivan Vukomanovic began.

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"We are happy with the performances so far. We know that it will be very hard in the ISL, but when you have that kind of group with this mentality and positive approach then it's easy to work, it's easy to continue. And if you have the potential to improve in the team, then you have to continue to believe in the team," he further added, while speaking about the improvement in the Yellow Army's form.

A three-goal win against a highly defensive team

Our question in Tuesday's pre-match press conference was regarding how KBFC can overcome the challenge posed by Chennaiyin, who had a very good defensive record. Ultimately, the Kochi-based outfit emerged winners.

"We knew beforehand that Chennaiyin FC has the best defence so far. We knew it will be a tough game with their defensive shape and low block and we knew that in certain moments with our high pressing, we have to be clinical and very quick in our decision-making, trying to find free men and then finishing the actions," Ivan Vukomanovic said, when asked about the Marina Machans.

"Hence, we had an idea, we had a strategy how to attack the game and in what part of the pitch to add pressure. So, I'm pleased that the boys understood what we asked of them. We are pleased with the three points and the 3-0 scoreline."

Back-to-back cleans-sheets for Prabhsukhan Gill

Albino Gomes' loss is Gill's gain. The Goan shot-stopper seems to have sustained a season-ending injury, as indicated by KBFC signing a new goalkeeper in Karanjit Singh. However, the biggest advantage has been for Gill, who has made the most of his chances between the sticks so far.

Against Chennaiyin, the youngster registered his second clean-sheet of the season. "Of course, for a young goalkeeper it's a huge achievement. When the defensive line and the entire block are working well to close the gaps and when you are concentrating on your line and not conceding goals, it gives you more and more confidence. Since he is starting he has done a great job and he has to continue working hard with our goalkeeping coach, with the team and become even better. So he can do it," Vukomanovic said.

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The 44-year-old added, "We have huge confidence in all our players. Of course, the clean-sheets can boost our confidence even more and can go a long way in making us an unbeatable team. That's what we want to continue to do."

Thoughts on Jamshedpur FC

Ivan Vukomanovic also shared his thoughts on Kerala Blasters' upcoming clash against Jamshedpur FC.

"Every game is important. We are not looking too far ahead and taking it game-by-game. So, every game in the ISL will be crucial and Jamshedpur FC is again a team we faced in the pre-season period like Chennaiyin FC. This is a tough team to beat.

"This is a physical team and we have to ready for the physical work, we have to ready for duels. I think we will see both teams wanting to win all three points, both teams wanting to play good football, fighting football and then as I like always to say, let the better team win," the KBFC head coach concluded.

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