There are 10 more games, Ivan Vukomanovic reminds table-toppers KBFC

The 44-year-old also opened up on Harmanjot Khabra's early substitution.

Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic was delighted to have recorded a win over an extremely difficult opponent in Hyderabad FC, but refused to get carried away by his team’s top position on the ISL 2021-22 points table.

Alvaro Vazquez’s strike in the first half helped Kerala Blasters beat Hyderabad FC 1-0 and climb to the top of the ISL standings. Speaking after the game, Vukomanovic said that he felt happy for his players and for the fans, but warned his players against any kind of complacency.

Here are the excerpts from his post-match press conference.

Thoughts on match result

"I think that tonight we played against one of the best teams in the league. I think that we played against one of the best organized teams in the league. Well balanced, the team was working consistently for a while since last year. I think that they have a great team. It's a team that is very tough to beat and we are happy because we managed that tonight and we managed not to concede a goal," Ivan Vukomanovic began.

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Speaking about the table position, he further added, "We are not busy with all these statistics because we have to know, we have to be honest that there are still 10 more games, there are still 30 points to collect, to fight for. For us, every game is like a final. For us, every game is like a fight. We have to continue like that. That's the only way that we can collect points. That's the only way that you can survive in this league at the top."

"So, we will try to do our best in the second half of this competition. It will be very tough because I think that many teams will now be re-organized. Every game for us will be tough. Of course, with these three points we are very happy. I'm very proud of these boys. I'm very happy for the fans because I hope they enjoyed tonight."

Game-plan against HFC

When asked about Kerala Blasters having fewer shots on target than the Nizams, the tactician explained, "Exactly because we knew that from ball possession standards, we could have less ball in our possession. But, you know in football, that's not the main statistic that will give you guarantee to win the game."

"We wanted tonight to press them high in one certain part of the pitch. We wanted to recover the ball in part of the pitch. We wanted to be clinical in our transition, we had created many chances like that. I think in the first half even a second call we had these moments and then we were missing that efficiency or the last pass in the box, where we could have even scored more goals. But anyway, we should be happy with three points, that's the only thing that counts," he further explained.

Ivan Vukomanovic also said, "We have to continue the hard work. We are a new team and have many new things, many new details, a new approach and we are trying to build up for the future. So, hopefully we will stay healthy, especially now in very difficult situation with COVID-19. We want to stay on correct fitness level because for us every game will be fight."

The substitutions

Regarding Harmanjot Khabra's substitution, Ivan Vukomanovic said, "He got a really unpleasant kick and a cut in his calf and probably he could have continued for a couple of minutes more, 10 minutes more. But, from the medical part and also from the coaching part, if you are in this kind of game, small details can make difference."

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"From our side also because Khabra is a very important player for our dressing room, for our team. We didn't want just to throw him to the lines and get them even more injured. So, sometimes it's better to anticipate and to treat him now with ease than to get them injured even harder. So, for us it was from both sides," the 44-year-old added.

Seityasen's performance for HFC

"Well, I think since we started, Seityasen is a very important player wherever he is playing. This is the player with a great mindset, great mentality, great team character," the Serbian-Belgian said.

"From one side, I'm sorry that he quit our club that he went on loan to Hyderabad. From the other side, of course, it was his choice because he wanted to get even more playing time. So, you know, sometimes there are situations that you can't choose, but you are chosen by the situation. So, that was a decision and I'm happy for him. I happy for him that he will get even more playing time if it's the case. Of course because he's a great player. I like him a lot. I wish him all the best for the future," he concluded.

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