Ivan Vukomanovic takes the positives after narrow defeat

The Blasters returned to action after an enforced break due to the COVID-19 outbreak in the camp.

Bengaluru FC defeated Kerala Blasters 1-0 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in the Indian Super League. Ivan Vukomanovic and his side played after having only a couple of training sessions since the outbreak of the COVID virus in their camp. However, the Blasters gave their everything in the game, and some would say they were the better team.

Lalthathanga Khawlhring made a tactical foul on Danish Farooq right in front of the Kerala Blasters box. Bengaluru scored through the resultant Naorem Roshan Singh's free-kick.

Ivan Vukomanovic met the media for the post-match press conference to discuss his side's performance and their ambitions this season.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPbQkbL0q7k

Kerala Blasters were the better side

Kerala Blasters dominated the game against Bengaluru FC in every department, statistically. However, they were left empty-handed because of a terrific effort from opposition left-back Naorem Roshan Singh. Head coach Ivan Vukomanovic is proud of the effort his team put in.

"It happens in football, that even if you're better and you lose the game, the feeling is not the same. What I've to say, what I just said to our players in the dressing room - after everything that has happened in the last two weeks, all the things going around, I've to say that I'm really proud. I'm really proud seeing those boys coming out with so much passion, such a commitment, wanting to compete and wanting to play after everything that's happened," the Serbian tactician quipped.

Chances for the top four

Kerala Blasters are the third-placed team on the league table. Despite the hardships the team has faced in recent times, they still have the opportunity of qualifying for the playoffs. Coach Ivan Vukomanovic wants to take this occasion to remind everyone of the progress the club have made under his tutelage.

"Since we started, we were never talking about the top four. The circumstances and the situations we are in now, we have the chance to be in the top four. We must never forget that we were the team second from the bottom last year. We're coming from far away," Ivan Vukomanovic expressed.

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The positives from the game for Kerala

Kerala Blasters may have lost the three points, but the players and the fans can take heart from the fact that they dominated a side as good as Bengaluru, even after only having a couple of training sessions since the outbreak. Some of the players showed great work-rate, covered more ground and were quicker than many Bengaluru players.

When questioned about what are the positives as the head coach, Vukomanovic replied, "Mentality, commitment, passion, the friendship, the great energy the team had in the dressing room and on the pitch. Seeing them so happy with a smile, playing with the energy, wanting to win every game. It makes me happy."

The competition in the league

Ivan Vukomanovic predicted Bengaluru FC to finish in the top four in the league. After the Blues edged past Kerala, they levelled the Kochi-based side on points and are fourth on the table. But ,Ivan Vukomanovic believes his side have many more teams to worry about and not just Bengaluru, in particular.

"There are many contenders. We've to admit that there are many teams that are more favourites than us. But again, we want to fight and we want to be there. Because the moment you are there, you want to achieve that. We've winners' mentality. We want to climb high up the table," the 44-year-old Serbian explained.

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