ISL 2021: We have to respect a point because FC Goa was better in the first half – Kibu Vicuna

The 68th match of the Hero Indian Super League between Kerala Blasters and FC Goa ended in a 1-1 draw at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim on Saturday. Jorge Ortiz opened the account for FC Goa from a free-kick when the ball deflected over the keeper in the 25th minute of the play.

However, Kerala Blasters equalized when Rahul KP scored with a header in the 56th minute of the play to get his team back in the contest. Kerala Blasters had their chances in the second half but their head coach Kibu Vicuna was content with one point as he admitted that the opposition was better than them in the first half.

“They played very well in the first half. The strategy was not to defend at the back but they had the ball. They played well and were better while defending and attacking. It’s true that the second half was completely different. We were a better team on the pitch. We had some chances but we missed the final pass. 

“We wanted the three points but if you see the complete match … For me, Goa FC is a fantastic team. They are improving and getting better. We were close to the three points, especially at the end of the match but we have to respect the point because they were better than us in the first half,” Vicuna said. 

In fact, FC Goa was reduced to 10-man when their defender Ivan Gonzalez was sent off in the 65th minute of the play as he received two Yellow cards in a span of a minute. However, FC Goa was able to keep Kerala Blasters to 1-1 draw despite being one man down.

“It was very tricky because they have very good players in Alberto Noguera, Igor Angulo, and Ortiz. So, we had to control and try to create chances and we did that. We wanted to score a goal but we wanted to defend as well,” he said. 

On the other hand, FC Goa chief coach Juan Ferrando wasn’t impressed with the performance of his team and believes the fouls and injuries didn’t help their cause.

FC Goa will next face SC East Bengal at the Fatorda Stadium on 29th January whereas Kerala Blasters will take on ATK Mohun Bagan on 31st January at the same venue.