We must acknowledge and embrace pressure, says Khalid Jamil before East Bengal game

Jamshedpur FC boss Khalid Jamil also heaped praise upon midfielder Jeremy Manzorro.

Jamshedpur FC will host East Bengal in a crucial encounter on Thursday (February 22) at the JRD Tata Sports Complex. The Men of Steel are delivering power-packed performances in a series and are undefeated under Khalid Jamil in the ISL. They have won two and drew one in the last three games and a win against East Bengal will put them in a good position for the play-offs race.

Khalid Jamil shared his opinions before the match in a media interaction. Here are the extracts from it.

On the pressure

The tactician commenced the press conference by talking about the pressure this upcoming match brings, especially in the current scenario. He said, “Indeed, pressure is inherent in every match, and it’s true, they’re a strong opponent. We must acknowledge and embrace the pressure, as it’s integral to the game.”

He continued, “However, we need to focus on moving forward, learning from our mistakes, and rectifying our shortcomings. Each match is unique and playing at home demands excellence in all aspects of our game, whether it’s defence or attack.”

On the opponents

Khalid Jamil warned the fans and the media who are calling it a comparatively easy fixture. He said, “They performed exceptionally well in the semi-final. They’re a formidable team, boasting talented foreign players and recent acquisitions. It won’t be an easy game, especially with the added pressure of playing on our home turf. We must maintain mental resilience.”

The mentor also commented on East Bengal’s recent recruits. He mentioned, “Many teams have undergone changes, and while we’re adapting gradually, we recognize the strength of their recent signings whom we didn’t face previously. Our preparation for this match is thus distinct. Regarding our previous home match draw, we haven’t dwelled on it yet.”

On the atmosphere inside the team

Jamshepdur FC have looked more motivated and hungry for results since Khalid Jamil took over. The manager might pull off a heist with a top-six finish and the team looks determined to support him. 

The tactician shared, “Everything within the team dynamic is running smoothly. The players are motivated and working diligently. While pressure exists, we’re equipped to handle it, focusing solely on achieving positive results against tough opponents. Team morale and camaraderie are paramount. Having a united front within the team enhances our performance.”

He concluded with some words of praise for Jeremy Manzorro. He asserted, “Jeremy Manzorro has been performing impressively, and he needs to maintain his level of dedication and hard work. He’s undeniably one of our top players.”

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