Coppell blames lack of game practice and Hughes' absence; Molina puts emphasis on the result

ANOTHER 1-0 LOSS suffered by Kerala Blasters in the opening two games, this time at home, and it brought dismay to the massive fanbase present at the Kochi Stadium. Atheletico de Kolkatta won the game with a single goal by Javi Lara which took a deflection on the way in.

In the post match press talk, Coppell said

“I think we deserved something from the game. They are a very good side, they will be difficult for many teams to beat as they are very composed in possession. I think we played with really good energy. They played with a little more composure in certain situations for sure but I was really pleased with my players and their commitment and their drive to take the game to their opposition"

Quizzed on the performance of his players the Englishman Coppell said

"We have a few players who are just coming back from injuries and haven’t played much football, I was pleased with the way they survived. The goal was a massive deflection, similar to the one scored the other night in the Kolkata game, that time it worked against them this time it worked for them. So I’m sure that over the course of the season we will get a situation where we will get the ball in the back of the net in a similar way. We have a few players who are just coming back from injuries and haven’t played much football, I was pleased with the way they survived ”

ATK coach Molina was content  with the win and team performance and said

“Yes, absolutely happy. I think the only thing that is important is to win. We won the match today. Very tough match if you ask. After last Sunday’s match, a tough match against Chennaiyin, we had to travel a long trip to come here to Kochi without any rest. Not good at all for the team. But we had a great match, a great first half. I think we could have scored some goals. It’s true we have to improve our last pass or finishing touch, try to score more goals."

Asked if luck played a part in the goal the ATK head coach said

"In the second half we had a maybe lucky goal, similar to what happened in the last match at Kolkata. Maybe the luck came back to us and finally we won the match. Really happy with the team, great performance by all the players. Of course we can score more goals, but I’m really happy.”

Coppell on the only goal of the game said

"The goal was a massive deflection, similar to the one scored the other night in the Kolkata game, that time it worked against them this time it worked for them. So I’m sure that over the course of the season we will get a situation where we will get the ball in the back of the net in a similar way.”

Molina would be sweating over the recovery of his marquee Postiga,who suffered an injury early in the game. 

"Well, Helder Postiga had a strong clash with a defender in the first half. He didn’t feel like he wanted to play. Then we decided to substitute him. We will see tomorrow when we go back to Kolkata, we will go to a hospital to do some tests and check how his ribs are. He had a strong clash in the ribs but we will see tomorrow"

Coppell's attacking formation showed his intention of going all guns fired on ATK but the same was not reflected in the number of shots on goal. If having no shots on target was troubling, Coppell answered 

“No, I think we have good quality. But I agree with you we are getting into a really good situation but are unable to hit the target. The past doesn’t equal the future. Just because we haven’t done it so far we will not be able to do it in the future games. Two games we haven’t scored, we have to get better individually and collectively. I’m looking forward to the next game. If I get the same commitment from the players I had today I think we’ll be fine.”

After Postiga was substituted, Ian Hume and Javi Lara switched flanks. Molina on this strategic move spoke

“We felt like we can take advantage of the space in the middle. Javi is better in combinations and we wanted to take advantage of the space in the middle. We interchanged with Hume to come inside the box and try to score. Javi, Borja Fernandez tried to dominate the midfield and I think it worked.”

Kerala Blasters, who have the highest average attendance in ISL, expect victories to come along soon to keep that number growing. On the 54,900 fans in attendance yesterday said, Coppell said,

“Obviously, two defeats is not what we planned for. But I prepare a team and all I can I ask from my players is to give it their all. Our supporters today would see that the players were committed, they kept on going right till the end, we had opportunities in the end from corners, Cedric [Hengbart] had a really good header and if that had gone in, the momentum would be with us. I hope the fans saw that we are really doing our utmost to try and get the results. This is one of the best atmospheres I have ever been involved in football. It is called devotion, it is devotion towards their club and we appreciate it and we need it. Two home games coming we need the fans to give us the impetus. So I just ask them to give us their all and in return we will give our all” 

Moline speaking on the injury of Robert Lalthlamuana and make-shift defence arrangements said

 “Robert didn’t play because he was injured. He had pulled a muscle in his quadriceps. We had to play with Prabir even though he is a right-back. We had to look for solutions and Prabir was the best solution to us"