Kerala Blasters boss Ivan Vukomanovic feels that his team deserved three points and were the better side against SC East Bengal

Kerala Blasters once again settled for a draw against SC East Bengal in a feisty Indian Super League encounter. The Red and Golds were handed the lead by their Australian defender Tomislav Mrcela but a goal from Alvaro Vazquez restored parity for the Blasters right at the end of the first half.

The Blasters were easily the better team over the ninety minutes. However, they were not clinical enough to bag home all three points from this fixture. However, the major highlight of the game was the questionable refereeing decisions. The match official wiped out two Kerala Blasters’ goals. Their first goal was a bizarre call where the goal was first given and then ruled out. Kerala Blasters scored late in the game through Jorge Diaz but his goal was ruled out due to a foul in the penalty area.

Speaking on the decisions Ivan Vukomanovic said, “Like it did today, sometimes they influence the game in both good and not-so-good ways. Today, we were not happy about it, of course – because we scored a nice, good goal at the right time and gained a good lead. The game could’ve been different afterwards.”

However, the Serbian tactician is not ready to get bogged down only by disappointing refereeing calls. He feels that the team needs to look at this result positively and hold their head high. Vukomanovic asserted, “However, at the same time, this is part of football and we have to deal with these things. We have to keep our heads down and stay positive and focused. On that note, I am happy with how my players responded after the final decision and even after we conceded first from a throw-in. They showed good character.”

Vukomanovic was happy with his team’s reaction after conceding. The Blasters pushed forwards and created some good chances. He added, “I am happy with how we worked after conceding the goal. We pushed hard to score, and later pushed more in the second half. We were the more dominant side in the second half. Sure, there were counter-attacks for us to deal with, but I think that we also had a few good moments in the second half.”

Lastly, the Serbian tactician felt that his team were the better side and deserved three points from the game. However, he does not want his team to get bogged down. He also touched upon how referees also need to improve as they influence the game.

“I actually wanted to get all three points from the match tonight, because I think we were the better team. But no, we have to stay positive. Similarly, the people who influence these matches – the referees – must also improve. They’re also human and sometimes they make mistakes, which is why we’re here to help,” the Kerala Blasters boss concluded.