Jamshedpur FC, which is eyeing a spot in the top 4, would like to put up a solid performance when they it takes on Kerala Blasters FC in a crucial Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 tie in Goa on Sunday.
The Men of Steel are placed 3rd on the points table (behind Mumbai FC and Hyderabad FC) and have so far performed satisfactorily in the cash-rich tournament.A win against Kerala would certainly bolster their dream of making it to the top 4 for the first time. Kerala, on the other hand, is positioned 4th.
Head coach Owen Coyle said, “It's always nice when we get clean sheets. We feel that in a couple of games we could have had clean sheets but we gave away sloppy goals in some instances. But, obviously we have to have that focus, that concentration and step up the pitch even stronger since we were playing a wonderful team."
"The in-form Kerala Blasters are doing very well, particularly the attacking players like Pereyra Diaz, Vasquez, Luna, Sahal Samad who are all terrific. So we've got to be wary of the threat they've got and give them the utmost respect as we always will do. It's a game that we're looking forward to," he added.
When asked about an update on the injuries in the squad, Owen said they obviously had injuries before the previous game. Pronay had missed out and Nerka Valskis felt a niggle in the warm up and had to be taken off the line-up to rest, Komal got injured in the game as did Len Doungel.
“So I think it's fair to say we have four or five knocks and injury concerns ahead of the Kerala Blasters game. But we will give the lads time till the last minute, but I can confirm that a few will miss out. That's why we have a squad, so that we have players who are ready and looking to get in and play their part, and that's what we'll look to do,” he added.
Owen added that Kerala Blasters have wonderful foreigners. Alvaro Vasquez, a striker who has played at a very high level, Pereyra Diaz, is also solid.
"Young Sahal Samad is an offensive player who is pleasing to watch, is quick, can score a goal and also create chances to score. They also have other wonderful players, Prashant, the winger who is a good substitution player and quick with the ball. So, they've got dangerous players," he elaborated.
