Break has been good in terms of getting physically and mentally fresher: Hyderabad FC boss Thangboi Singto

Singto hopes to improve & bring better morale by winning for first time this season.

Hyderabad FC head coach Thangboi Singto is hoping that his side gets their first three points of the Indian Super League (ISL) season in their upcoming game against Kerala Blasters at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi, on Saturday.

Singto spoke about the morale in the team after the side has been winless so far this season after six matches with three draws and three defeats.

“We are trying to improve and bring better morale by winning for the first time this season. The morale has always been good. Whether it is in training or the pitch, they play for the badge and glory of the club,” Singto stated in the pre-match press conference.

“The break has been good in terms of getting physically and mentally fresher,” Singto added.

Hyderabad FC sit in 11th position in the table with just three points from their first six games. Singto feels that despite results the performance of the team on the pitch has not been entirely bad.

“For us, the first three games we lost then we came back. If you see the score, I think we did not lose badly. We lost the first game 2-1 and then the next two games by a 1-0 scoreline,” Singto said.

“There were some games where we could have got maximum points,” he added.

The 49-year-old believes that his team needs to improve on the attacking side of the pitch.

“Going forward, getting up front and trying to score goals is the area where we need to work really hard,” Singto said.

“We are creating enough chances to score but creating chances is one thing but converting those chances into goals is another challenge we are having,” he added.

Regarding injuries and absentees, Singto said that Anuj Kumar and Hitesh Sharma will not be part of the game. Hyderabad FC’s coaching team will decide on Felipe Amorim and Laxmikant Kattimani’s involvement on the day of the match.

The former Kerala Blasters FC assistant highlighted the atmosphere in Kochi and the challenge it brings for visiting teams.

“Kerala is always special. As we all know, for everyone involved in football, it is a place where football is on fire. I think the players want to play in that atmosphere,” he said.

“Kerala are a tough team. They are in second position in the table if I am not wrong. I hope we create great memories when we play,” Singto added.

Mizo midfielder Mark Zothanpuia joined Thangboi Singto in the pre-match press conference. He has played three games for Hyderabad FC so far this season and has bagged one assist.

Zothanpuia reflected on his season so far which hasn’t been very easy for his team.

“The first two seasons were quite tough for me. It was the first time in my professional stage,” Zothanpuia said.

“Our coaches are helping me in a lot of ways when I am playing in a new position. My teammates always help me a lot to play at my best,” Zothanpuia added.

The 21-year-old feels that he still has a long way to go in his career and needs to keep his focus on training and working hard.

“I think the most important thing is to keep my head down and play my own game, be fully focused on the game in every action and listen to my teammates,” Zothanpuia said.

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