ISL 2022-23: Need to be united and ready more than ever before: Kerala Blasters FC’s Ivan Vukomanovic

Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic feels the team needs to be united and ready more than ever before towards the fag end of the league stage in the ongoing Hero Indian Super League. The Tuskers will take on East Bengal FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Friday.

Kerala Blasters are currently in third place in the standings with nine wins in 15 matches and a total of 28 points. On the other hand, East Bengal FC are struggling in ninth place with only four wins in 15 games and a total of 12 points.

Kerala Blasters had suffered a 4-0 loss against table-toppers Mumbai City and then they were beaten 2-0 by FC Goa. However, Vukomanovic’s team was able to bounce back stronger with a 2-0 win against NorthEast United in their previous game on Sunday.

“It was absolutely crucial that we achieved these three points in this period of the season, five big steps to go and get three points, climbing, and staying third on the Hero ISL points. It was hugely important to get it done on Sunday. It was not easy to dominate, organize and play this kind of game after two defeats not only on the physical level but on a mental level. It was hard to prepare, it was hard to get there. I’m very glad to see the boys how they responded on Sunday, especially in the first half,” Vukomanovic said while talking about the fixture against NorthEast United FC.

“Having that power and motivation to want to score goals. Wanting to get the game under control. And then like that, managing the game and getting these three points. We knew that by not doing that we could have brought us into a difficult situation. So without force and quality, we managed this game last night to get us where we are now so we are really happy and thrilled about it,” he added.

On the other hand, Vukomanovic also showered praise on Bryce Miranda, who has scored two goals and provided as many assists in the seven matches he has played this season.

“I was happy to see him and all the other boys last night repeating and doing certain things from training sessions. He was scoring that first goal with a cross, the things that you want to do against those teams. Not only Bryce (Miranda), if you speak about any player coming from the I-League for the first time in the Hero ISL, there are many things that must be changed, the approach of every game, every training, concentration, and professionalism. Then the intensity of training and all these things the players need time to adapt. They need time to be accepted to a dressing room to a new group of players,” Vukomanovic stated.

Meanwhile, Dimitrios Diamantakos has been amazing for Kerala Blasters, scoring nine goals and providing three assists in 15 matches. Vukomanovic lauded the Greek’s adaptability and preparation for the tournament.

“The best thing about a striker is when you recognize the hunger for goals and Dimi (Dimitrios Diamantakos) is exactly the type of striker. He came to the league without a proper preseason so he needed time to adapt. Dimo possesses the qualities that we needed. He is clinical and very dangerous in the box for the opponents. That is by creating some spaces and serving him with quality balls. He can score goals, from any situation,” Vukomanovic said.