ISL Season 8: Kerala Blasters fell short to win the Indian Super League title for the third time in their club’s history as they lost on penalties against Hyderabad FC. It was a very cagey game as Rahu KP handed them the lead before Sahil Tavora came up with an absolute stunner to drag the game to extra time and eventually penalties. Follow all the ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
During the penalty shootouts, it was Hyderabad FC Custodian Laxmikant Kattimani who stood tall and came up with three saves to help the Nizams clinch their first-ever ISL trophy.
Congratulations on winning the trophy at the end of a brilliant season, @HydFCOfficial 🤝🏼
Thank you for a fantastic 120 minutes of football tonight! #HeroISLFinal #FinalForTheFans #YennumFootball #KBFC pic.twitter.com/Q8pQ2YiSix
— Kerala Blasters FC (@KeralaBlasters) March 20, 2022
Despite the loss, Kerala Blasters head coach Ivan Vukomanovic has hinted of continuing as the head coach of the Yellow Army. But he also suggested that he will hold discussions with the board before making a call on his future.
The Serbian tactician who helped Kerala Blasters qualify for their first finals in six years and receive a huge cheer from the Kerala Blasters fans even after the defeat in the finals. So he has very easily become the fan favourite for the Yellow Army.
“We had a talk with the management. We said to each other that there is a big wish to continue,” Vukomanovic told media after the finals.
“I wanted the management to sit down and finally fix all those things now that the season is done. I didn’t want or we didn’t want these things to influence certain things because we wanted to have a clear mind and not be focussed on something else on our way to the final,” he added.
However, the Serbian tactician revealed that he won’t rush into making any future calls. He wants to allow the feeling of th finals to sink in before calling shots for the following season.
“Now we will use this opportunity to sit down next week when the emotions cool down. After such a game and such a season, we have to sleep over it and then sit down and decide. Hopefully, we see each other again,” he added.
Vukomanovic has made a major impact in his first year of ISL. He has been a metronome for young Indian players who outperformed representing the Balsters this season. They played some exceptional brand of football and guided his team to the finals. The Yellow Army will be hoping that Vukomanovic will continue as their head coach next season.
