ISL 2022-23: Kerala Blasters FC vs Jamshedpur FC Live Score and Updates: Chukwu Levels for Jamshedpur; KBFC 1-1 JFC

Kerala Blasters FC head coach Ivan Vukomanovic evaluated the club’s chances of securing Ivan Kaliuzhnyi on a permanent transfer in the summer and also discussed the club’s decision to let centre-back Puitea join direct rivals ATK Mohun Bagan ahead of their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 match against Jamshedpur FC. 

Kaliuzhnyi will miss the match against Jamshedpur FC through suspension but Vukomanovic expressed confidence in the player who is set to replace him for the Tuesday clash before speaking about securing the Ukrainian for the long term. 

“There were many possibilities that led to us having him (Kaliuzhnyi) on loan,” Vukomanovic said during the pre-match press conference. 

“He has good football education, has a long contract with his club and comes from the best club in his country Dynamo Kiev. In the European market, this kind of player costs a lot. In football anything is possible and if we are in a situation where the player is willing to continue with Kerala Blasters FC then we will see at the end of the season. If there's a possibility, we will work on the deal,” he added. 

The Blasters let midfielder Puitea leave to join ATK Mohun Bagan during the January transfer window and even though the move strengthened a direct rival in the Hero ISL, Vukomanovic backed the decision to let the player leave. 

“When a player finds himself in one environment for a long period, there is a hunger for a new challenge and a new environment. We as a club will never stop a player when they seek a new challenge or have a good offer,” the 45-year-old said. 

It’s clear that the Blasters are bubbling with confidence.

“When you start increasing your physical and mental level and when the playing patterns that you employ bring results, then you also get the self confidence that you can overcome any opposition, that you can play hard, be consistent. So that’s our objective for the next period as well,” said the Serb.

The Blasters, who will be without Ivan Kaliuzhnyi (suspension) and Puitea (after allowing the midfielder to join ATK Mohun Bagan in the January transfer window), are fourth in the ISL table with 22 points and seven wins while Jamshedpur is in the 10 th rung with just five points and one win which came more than two months ago.

Jamshedpur lost its previous encounter against Blasters this season by a lone goal in early December.