ISL 2022-23: We need to defend well for the entire game – Jamshedpur FC head coach Aidy Boothroyd

Jamshedpur FC head coach Aidy Boothroyd believes they need to defend well for the entire game to savor success. The previous season’s League Shield winners suffered their fifth loss of the season after they were beaten 3-1 by East Bengal FC at JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur on Sunday.

Jamshedpur FC’s defense was tested in the second minute of the game and they were not up to the task as VP Suhair found the back of the net. Subsequently, Cleiton Silva gave a 2-0 lead to his team in the 26th minute of the game.

The Red Miners did get back into the contest as Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored through a penalty. However, Silva was able to put the game to bed for East Bengal FC as he scored in the 58th minute to give a decisive 3-1 lead. Jamshedpur FC has conceded a total of 14 goals in the tournament and they have conceded the most goals in the first 30 minutes of the game.

While sharing his thoughts on the match, Aidy Boothroyd said in the post-match press conference, “If I told you that we worked on that every single day, you probably wouldn’t believe me, but that’s what we do. So when it comes up in the game, everybody knows what they’re doing. For example, we hit the crossbar. We ended up being counter-attacked, which we knew. We see our opponents and we know what they’re going to do, but it is a matter of the players implementing and making good decisions.”

He added, “Pretty much (sure), we are better than what we have shown this evening in terms of our defensive work. I have to say that I’m really disappointed with the way we conceded the goals. I think we created chances, we are not scoring at the moment. In terms of our defence, it’s not just the first 30 minutes, it is the whole game. We need to be better.”

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC’s progress has also been hampered by injuries. However, the Englishman doesn’t want to blame his team’s poor show on injuries and bad luck.

He said, “I know. (But) what I don’t want to do is to blame injuries and blame bad luck. Because we’re professionals and I think we got to really assess about where we are in terms of our injuries. I can’t really do that until I assess what we’ve got tonight. So, as far as I’m concerned, get everybody fit, who can be fit; and the rest, to get them back as soon as possible.”

Jamshedpur FC will next take on Kerala Blasters FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur on 4th December.