Poor show in Super Cup won't affect Blasters' ISL aspirations: Vukomanovic

The team's disappointing show at the Kalinga Super Cup will not affect Kerala Blaster's performance negatively in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) Season 10, head coach Ivan Vukomanovic has said. According to the Serbian, the two back-to-back losses suffered by the Yellow Brigade in the Super Cup was certainly a disruption to their fine run of form going into the international break. However, it provided an opportunity for the Yellow Brigade to regroup and get momentum and energy back, he said ahead of the team's training camp in Kochi. 

What exactly went wrong for Blasters in the Super Cup? 

Blasters had to overcome many obstacles to compete in the Super Cup. The side was hit hard by a string of injuries which kept about half-a-dozen key players out of action. Besides, three more players missed the Super Cup on account of national commitments. Even during the tournament, some of the players sustained injuries. When a team misses the services of main players, it is difficult to perform well in such a tough tournament.  

Currently, how many players are nursing an injury? 

The likes of Adrian Luna, Jeakson Singh, and Vibin Mohanan had sustained injuries before the Super Cup. Mohammed Aimen and Kwame Peprah missed a couple of matches in the Super Cup due to injuries. 

Fans are seemingly frustrated and disappointed with the team's performance…

I can understand their anguish and frustration. When expectations are unmet, they will be disappointed. Nothing went right for us in the Super Cup. As we were already missing the services of  some of the key players, we took part in the Super Cup fearing that the side could be further depleted if the remaining players too get injured. When we headed to Bhubaneswar, our sole aim was to play the three group matches and return to Kochi to prepare for the ISL.