"If you don't score those goals, you get punished and you're eliminated" - Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic
Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic rued his team's missed goal-scoring chances in the playoffs knockout game against Odisha FC, which led to their exit from the 2023-24 ISL.
Despite leading 1-0 until the 87th minute, Kerala Blasters eventually lost 2-1 as Diego Mauricio's equalizer and Isak Vanlalruatfela's extra-time goal (98th minute) sealed a semifinal spot for the Kalinga Warriors.
Speaking at the post-match press conference after the heartbreaking defeat in Bhubaneswar, a visibly disappointed Kerala Blasters FC bossman said:
"In these kinds of games, you will not have 25 or 30 chances. This is a tough game, this is a knockout phase, and whenever you create chances, you have to be concentrated to score those goals. Of course, the boys wanted to push that ball into the net, but again, if you don't score those goals, you get punished from the other side, and you're eliminated."
"Odisha FC are one of the most consistent teams since the start of the season" - Ivan Vukomanovic
Kerala Blasters FC qualified for this ISL season's playoffs after finishing fifth in the points table with 33 points from 22 matches. Although the Men in Yellow were at the pole position towards the end of the first-leg matches in December 2023, a change of fortunes in the second leg saw them slide down the table.
Vukomanovic not only heaped praise on his players for giving their best until the final moments of the game but also spoke highly about Odisha FC, whom he hailed as one of the most consistent teams this season.
He also credited the travelling Kerala Blasters FC fans for their undying support towards the team in not just the playoffs game but right throughout this season. He stated:
"They were giving everything on the pitch against one really good team. If you look at Odisha FC, they are one of the most consistent teams since the start of the season. So they were playing all the time with a full squad. They had all the players available, especially speaking about foreign players who are making the difference. I'm grateful for their support (in the away game) and for everything they were doing for us this season."
The Serbian further gave his opinion on the overall performance of his team in the 2023-24 ISL season. Despite multiple injuries, the three-time ISL runners-up put up a solid display of football.
Opening up about how difficult it was for him to rebuild the squad due to the injuries, Vukomonovic also admitted that it was the hardest season in his coaching career so far.
"When you start the season, you want to build up the way you play. And then the moment you reach that level with injuries, you crash. And you restart. You're set to zero. You have to redo it again. If you do it twice in one season, it's a hell of a job. We did it four times. For me personally, the hardest season I've ever had in my life as a coach. Throughout the season, there were so many things that you cannot control," he concluded.
It was the third consecutive playoff appearance for Kerala Blasters FC under Ivan Vukomovic. Unfortunately, they couldn't achieve glory on all three occasions and their wait for the elusive silverware continues.