ISL 2021-22: Our strength at Jamshedpur is as a group – Team’s coach Owen Coyle

Jamshedpur FC took another step close to the semifinal spot in the ongoing Hero Indian Super League as they defeated Chennaiyin FC by 4-1 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in the 96th match of the tournament on Sunday. With this win, Jamshedpur FC climbed to the second place in the standings with 31 points under their bag. This was the ninth win of the season for Jamshedpur in 16 matches but Coyle doesn’t want to take his foot off the pedal.

Coyle admitted that it is nice to have 31 points under their belt but it doesn’t guarantee them a semifinal spot and thus they need to keep going in a similar fashion. Coyle believes 36 points could seal their semifinal spot while getting to 39 points will give the team a good chance to win ISL Shield Trophy.

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC took nine shots on target against the Marina Machans and they were able to dominate the contest as they took a 3-0 lead after the half-time break. Ritwik, Boris, Daniel Chukwu scored in the first half whereas Devrani scored an own goal after one minute into the self half.

Owen Coyle said in the post-match press-conference, “Well, 31 points is nice, but it won’t earn you a semi-final spot. We have to attain a lot more points I believe. Given what everybody is doing and the performance from the other teams is fantastic, you know, Hyderabad, ATK Mohun Bagan, Kerala Blasters, Mumbai, Bengaluru, they aren’t finished yet. So, I certainly believe we need at least another five points. I think 36 [points] would certainly guarantee the semi-final spot. I think 39 would probably get you the shield, maybe a little less for the semi-finals because everybody’s playing each other. But that being said, we just have to concentrate on what we can do. We’re on 31, we’ve another tough game coming in five days. We have to make sure we win that and go onto 34. NorthEast are going to make it tough, we saw that the other night”.

On the other hand, Coyle gave credit to the collective effort of the team. Jamshedpur FC have found scorers in different matches, which has been a key to the team’s success. The club’s star striker Greg Stewart has scored nine goals in 16 matches while Daniel Chukwu has found the back of the net on six occasions in 15 matches.

Coyle added, “Very much so because it’s great to have talented individual players, but our strength as Jamshedpur is as a group and you know, Greg Stewart is only as good as a man next to him, and Daniel Chima is only as good as a man next to him. And that’s how we work on a daily basis. We work in togetherness and it’s great to have 11 or 12 goalscorers at the club, whatever we have, that shows you it’s very much a team at Jamshedpur and we’re all in it together, not just the players, the staff, how hard they work behind the scenes, the crew, the media, all the medical staff, I can’t thank them enough that I mean from the first minute working with them, they’re just an outstanding group to work with. They really are and they certainly make my job easier”.

Jamshedpur FC will next face NorthEast United FC at the PJN Stadium, Fatorda on Friday.