Kibu Vikuna
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This will be the season the Kerala Blasters want to forget. The Blasters’ defensive line was the worst of the season. The Blasters conceded 22 goals while conceding 33 goals. Only Kerala and Odisha FC conceded more than 25 goals. Vikuna was appointed as the coach of Kerala Blasters before last season. Vikuna coach Mohan Bagan won the I-League last season but was allowed to leave Vikuna after the club merged with ATK to become ATK Mohan Bagan. Antonio Habas coach ATK Mohan Bagan tops the list.
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In a post-match interview, Vikuna avoided asking questions about her future at the Kerala Blasters. “For me this season has been very disappointing. We worked hard to get the best training possible. We had a very short pre-season. Then we didn’t start the season well. After that, we could not maintain consistency,” he said.
In the last match, Hyderabad lost to Hyderabad by four wickets. Fran Sandasa and Aridane Santana doubled the Blasters’ lead in injury time with Joao Victor tying the game. The Blasters put up a good performance in the first half as they put on an attacking football look. All goals were scored in the second half after a goalless first half. The Blasters were deceived by the defense as they led the attack as usual.
The Blasters lost hope after leading by two goals and then tried not to concede more goals. In the 86th minute, Aridane Santana scored Hyderabad’s third goal from a Luis Zastre pass. The Blasters’ fall was complete when Joao Victor netted from a free kick in injury time. With the win, Hyderabad activated their play-off hopes with 27 points from 18 matches.
English summary- ISL club Kerala Blasters sacked head coach Kibu Vicuna after the team suffered the heaviest defeat of the season as they were thrashed 4-0 by Hyderabad FC. With the loss, Kerala Blasters also got out of the race to the playoffs, joining Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC in that list. Kerala Blasters’ defence was once again the culprit as Hyderabad FC put up a ruthless performance in the second half to crush them.
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