Grand Master Vukomanovich
The Grandmaster is the one who starts thinking from where the opponents stop thinking. The only answer to the question of who is the Grandmaster of the Indian Super League is Ivan Vukomanovich, the strategist of the Kerala Blasters. Vukomanovic did things against Odisha FC that not only the opponents but also the fans did not think about. The captain’s arm band was given to Adrian Luna after permanent captain Jesse Carnero was ruled out due to injury. For the first time this season, Nishu Kumar has been included in the playing XI.
If the ball is under the control of the opponent, at least three Blasters players will circle him. External access to the opponent will be cut off. The ball is then controlled. It was through this tactic that the Blasters made 54 per cent possession against Odisha.
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Variety Goal
Variety is the way the goal came. Neither Alvaro Vasquez – Jorge Pereira Diaz’s forward, nor Sahal Abdul Samad – Adrian Luna’s attacking midfield duo scored for the Blazers. Blasters fans looked at these four players with thirst for goals. The concept of Odisha was the same. But Vukomanovic’s strategy was different. Score with fullbacks Nishu Kumar and Harmanjot Khabra. Vukominovic trained Khabra, who is good at set pieces, to be dangerous on the field. Khabra’s header from a corner kick was the implementation of precision training under the tutelage of Vukomanovic. Vukomanovic made the revelation after the match.
Depth and breadth
So far, the depth and breadth of the Kerala Blasters has increased with each passing match. The team is on the path of progress in every area. The best example of this was Nishu Kumar’s goal against Odisha in the 28th minute. Nine players from the Blazers’ line-up touched and completed 24 passes, with Nishu Kumar scoring the only goal of the game, with a brilliant finish. It was the best building goal in the history of the Blasters.
In the second half, Pereira Diaz gave a long through pass to Alvaro Vasquez, who was in the Odisha half, from the Blasters’ half as Odisha continued to put pressure on him to score. It was the epitome of the confidence of the Blazers players to take a long-range kick to the Waxways goal without taking control of the ball and running forward. It is also worth noting that Vazquez’s free kick was unlucky to miss the target.
Super Gill
Another strength of the Blasters is the brilliant performance of Prabhu Sukhan Singh Gill in front of the goal net. The 21-year-old Gill made four saves against Odisha, including two brilliant diving saves. Gill is on the path to progress after each match. Gill made his ISL debut in the first quarter match against Odisha on December 5 after number one goalie Albino Gomez was ruled out due to injury.
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No arrogance
Coach Vukomanovic’s words suggest that the Blasters will retain their top spot in the league points table without arrogance. Vukomanovich is the head of the horns, with all the reminders that nothing can happen overnight and that every match is a final and anyone can be defeated. The Blazers have 20 points from 11 games with five wins, five draws and one defeat. Jamshedpur FC are second with 19 points from 11 matches.
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