ISL | Carles Cuadrat happy with his team’s performance as David James aims long-term
Bengaluru FC coach Carles Cuadrat, after the win against Kerala Blasters, has stated that he is satisfied with the way his boys performed in the match. Opposition coach David James too sounded optimistic and said that he is aiming to improve with a long-term goal rather than rushing it through.
Bengaluru FC beat Kerala Blasters 2-1 in a close encounter yesterday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kerala. Sunil Chhetri (17’) and Nikola Krcmarevic (own goal 81’) were the two goals for the Bengaluru FC. The second goal from Krcmarevic turned out to be a game changer as the match was well poised until then.
“About the performance, I am very happy with the players. I think they are doing a wonderful job and we fought for the three points under difficult circumstances in the game. We got the three points. As a coach, you demand these things from the players and you have to be satisfied,” Carles
With this win, Bengaluru FC
“No, I have not. Nothing is done yet. We have to work for the playoffs and there’s a long way for the playoff. We have six games after the break, just in two weeks. So, that’s going to demand a lot of energy. Of course, I’m happy with the work that the players are doing until now, but we are just at the starting of the season, so we have to keep doing that.”
The ISL would see a nine-day break from November 12th to 20th for the Indian players to participate in the lone friendly International match against Jordan on November 17th. And the coach has asserted that he would have to rebuild a good dynamic after the ten-day break.
“We have a good dynamic, that’s true. But we are going to miss some players for the national team and we are not going to be together in training. So, we have to try to rebuild a good dynamic after the break,” he added.
On the other hand, the Kerala Blasters’ coach David James didn't seem very unhappy with the way his players played either. Slavisa Stojanovic was the lone scorer for the Blasters as he scored the lone goal of his team in the 30th minute.
“Once we got back into a game, it was a very good team. It was two teams desperately trying to beat each other in a way a football match should be. Bengaluru
The Kerala Blasters are two-time finalists of the ISL but are yet to get their hands on the coveted trophy. And coach James also pointed out that he wouldn't be a one time wonder and is now focusing on the overall long-term progression of the team. James has had a long-term association with the Kerala franchise as he also played and managed his team since the inaugural season.
“When I was brought in January, this was not a one season wonder type thing. I wasn’t told that I have to win the Hero ISL this season, it was a three-year game plan for progression and development. I’m unhappy with the results, no, because the performances have been good. I don’t think I’ve sat here after any match and said that we’ve played badly. At spells, we could’ve done better but that’s football and life in the sense,” he said.
