ISL 2017/18: Mumbai City FC coach Alexandre Guimaraes tears into referee after defeat to Kerala Blasters
Iain Hume scored the only goal of the night as Kerala Blasters registered a vital away victory against Mumbai in Sunday's crunch ISL encounter. The home side did manage to create a number of chances but were a tad hesitant inside the box which ultimately proved to be their undoing.
Kerala's goal came from a lighting fast indirect free-kick which caught Mumbai's players by surprise who were still taking their respective positions. The referee too wasn't in his position. Before the opposition players realised, Pekuson quickly released Hume who coolly slotted the ball past keeper, Amrinder.
Mumbai City FC coach, Alexandre Guimaraes who just a day back said he didn't have anything to say against the referees was in no mood to remain silent tonight. The Costa Rican was extremely annoyed and angry that the official decided to let the goal stay under dubious circumstances.
"What is difficult to understand is that the free kick was taken five meters ahead of where the situation actually happened. There is no whistle, no stop, just goal!"
"Then in the second half, we tried to play one ball like that (Kerala's free kick), but their players blocked it and nothing happened. Better I..," Mumbai's coach signalled that he will have to keep his mouth sealed. Given the fact that managers have been suspended previously for expressing their opinion about the officials.
Asked if he thought Mumbai played better than Kerala, Guimaraes suggested that his players were trying their very best to unlock the Blasters defence but rued the fact that they were just not able to finish off their moves.
"They tried to play their game in the first half but they didn't create chances to hurt us. From the beginning, we tried to impose our style. I think we handled it well, we had to take some risks to try and draw the game. We knocked on their door but couldn't walk in," he stated.