Kerala Blasters’ gaffer Kibu Vicuna believes his team is very motivated and can still make a cut-in to the playoffs this time.
Kerala Blasters are set to play out a crippled Odisha in search of a win to secure their playoff spot in this 2020-21 ISL season. The Wednesday’s reverse fixture will be the only hope for Kibu to prove his merits to keep his team in the playoff race.
Kerala Blasters head coach Kibu Vicuna and the custodian Albino Gomes addressed the pre match presser ahead of their crucial game against Odisha FC.
The Spaniard still believes his side can do better and make it to the playoffs, “Our objective is to get 12 points from the remaining four games. We go match-by-match. Tomorrow, we have a challenge. We are treating the match very seriously, it is a good opportunity to get points and be close to the teams that are better than us in the league. If we get the points, everything is possible. We are not going to give up. We are going to get the best possible position” stated the 49 year old.
Kerala Blasters lost two crucial games against ATK Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC form winning positions. The Spaniard further reiterated his side is adhering to a good style of play even under losing positions. “We are competing very well. We were better than the opponents in some parts of the games. We could win both games. We are creating chances. We saw that we can get the points against any team.”
“No question that those two teams are having a very good season. But we have seen that teams can get the points against them. It is also true that they are more consistent than other teams and that is why there is a difference of points. I think this league is very even, this is the good point of the Indian [Super] League that there is no difference between teams” continued the Spaniard.
The side’s floppy defense has been one of the major reason for the Blasters’ downfall this season. The side has conceded the most number of goals (27) from just 16 games. “We are conceding too many goals. It is not the question of the defensive line-up, it is a question of the whole team. At the beginning of the season, mistakes were more collective. In the last few games, it is more about small details and individual mistakes. We are trying to correct them and are working more on the defensive part of the game,” the gaffer stated.
The coach further quoted few words on Facundo’s injury, when asked about him.”Facundo is still in the quarantine, doing exercises in the room. He is following his process. Once he finishes quarantine, he can start training. He feels it is an important time and will start training in the field later”
The last placed Odisha FC registered their only win of the season against Kerala in 4-2 score few weeks back. So Odisha has their upper-hand in their reverse fixture, despite being at the bottom of the table. “Odisha beat us in the first game 4-2. We didn’t play well in that game. We respect them very much. We are preparing in the best way we can. It is a very important game; we want the points. We want to continue fighting ” opined the coach, who feels Odisha FC can impose a stout challenge upon them.
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