Kerala Blasters players are a dejected lot after the shootout loss. Photo: ISLKerala Blasters fell at the final hurdle after suffering a heartbreaking defeat at the hands of Atletico de Kolkata in the summit clash of the third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).
The players, Blasters team management, and thousands of loyal fans of the Men in Yellow could be trying to figure out why the coveted ISL crown remained elusive.
Read also: Atletico de Kolkata dash Kerala Blasters' dreams
But for a team which lacked cohesion and was left wondering from where the goals will come in the early part of the campaign, the runner-up finish was a highly creditable achievement.
Coach Steve Coppell did an admirable job in taking Blasters to the verge of glory.
The experienced British coach succeeded in getting the best out of the limited resources at hand for Blasters did not have a big star to fall back on.
The Kochi side's big plus was its backline comprising marquee player Aaron Hughes, Cedric Hengbart, Sandesh Jhingan and Josu Currais.
The decision not to sign a left-back was shocking and Coppel had no option but to move Josu to that position.
The Spanish midfielder did a more than adequate job in his new role. Since Hughes had to rush back on national duty for Northern Ireland, the responsibility of manning the defense invariably fell on Hengbart and the Frenchman was simply magnificent throughout the campaign.
Ironically, it was Hengbart who missed the vital penalty in the shootout. But that is the nature of the sport and one has to live with it.
Blasters clearly lacked an attacking midfielder and a quality striker. The team management has to address these problem areas if they have go all the way next season.
C. K. Vineeth, whose five goals went a long way in Blasters making it to the semifinals, was not at his best in the knockout games. Mohammed Rafi, who scored in the final, had a season to forget as he managed just two goals. Rafi is past his prime.
The same holds true for British striker Michael Chopra. The Haitian duo of Kervens Belfort and Duckens Nazon showed sparks of brilliance, but consistency was missing.
The Blasters team management, which includes Sachin Tendulkar, has to realize soon that its biggest strength is the die-hard fans.
Kerala Blasters players thank the fans at the end of the final. Photo: ISLIn fact the six successive wins at home took Blasters to the title clash. Even when the team was struggling, the supporters came in large numbers and cheered them on.
As Coppell pointed out numerous times, the Blasters fans deserve the best and for that the team owners have to sign a few big names.
It was clear Coppell was struggling to strike balance and he was walking a tightrope. Blasters lacked bench strength and in big games it hurt them. And for those who are blaming bad luck for Blasters' loss, the simple fact is they had plenty of good fortune in the win over Delhi Dynamos in the semifinals.
The key for Blasters is to retain Coppell and not repeat the mistake which they committed by letting go striker Iain Hume after the Canadian had a wonderful season in the inaugural edition when they finished runners-up.
It must not be forgotten that Blasters ended up rock bottom the very next season. The big question is whether the Blasters team management is listening?
