"The match was very even till the first goal" - Kibu Vicuna after Kerala Blasters' 4-0 loss to Hyderabad FC
Kerala Blasters were outclassed 4-0 by Hyderabad FC in their 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) encounter on Tuesday.
The contest at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco, Goa was evenly matched in a goalless first-half. Kerala Blasters were presented with two gilt-edged chances in the first 45 minutes, but failed to make them count.
After the break, Bakary Kone made two errors at the back, with Hyderabad FC's Fran Sandaza (58', 63') capitalizing on both occasions to score a brace. Speaking to the media after the match, Kerala Blasters coach Kibu Vicuna said:
"If you see only the result, we lost 4-0. But, I think we played decently in the first-half. We had the best two chances to score, one from Prasanth (Karuthadathkuni) and the other from Gary Hooper. I think the match was very even till the first goal. Unfortunately, we made another defensive mistake and conceded the second goal. Then, the match was finished. In my opinion, we are training well in the training ground. But we are not getting the results of the training on the pitch."
Kerala Blasters collapsed like a pack of cards after the change of sides. The Tuskers were poor defensively and were duly punished by Hyderabad FC in the second-half.
"When you are in a bad mood in terms of results, you are not strong mentally. For us, it is important to score first. Then, we have chances. In this season, if we are conceding first, it becomes very hard for us," Vicuna mentioned.
"Football is a sport of mistakes" - Kerala Blasters coach Kibu Vicuna
Kerala Blasters were defensively fragile against Hyderabad FC, who scored four times in the second-half. Kibu Vicuna was quick to acknowledge his side's mistakes.
"Football is a sport of mistakes. We are working in the training session to avoid mistakes. But, the players commit mistakes. Senior players coming with a lot of experience are committing mistakes. The whole season it is happening," Vicuna said.
The only positive from Kerala Blasters' underwhelming campaign has been the performance of their youngsters. Against Hyderabad FC, Givson Singh and Ayush Adhikari got the opportunity to showcase their talent.
"The boys are training well. We also have other youngsters. Jeakson (Singh Moirangthem) had an injury. Sahal (Abdul Samad) and Rahul (Kannoly Praveen) too. Prabhsukhan (Singh Gill) the second-choice goalkeeper. It is important the young players get chances because they deserve it and not because they are young," Vicuna signed off.
Kerala Blasters will next face Chennaiyin FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim, Goa on Sunday.