Khalid Jamil rallies Jamshedpur FC ahead of the "Do-or-Die" clash against NorthEast United FC

The Red Miners have suffered two heavy defeats against Juan Pedro Benali’s side this season.

Indian Super League (ISL) club Jamshedpur FC and head coach Khalid Jamil lost the golden opportunity to host the knockout fixtures of ISL in their home. All they needed was merely a solitary point in their last two games to book their spot for the knockout games to be played at their home. However, two back-to-back defeats against Odisha FC and Chennaiyin FC crushed their hopes.

The Red Miners’ away form hasn’t been promising at all. When it comes to their head-to-head record against the Highlanders, it has been pretty damning. However, after a much-needed international break, Khalid and his men will be determined to get the better of the Highlanders as they look to book a spot in the semi-finals against Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

Ahead of the knockout fixture, coach Khalid Jamil and youngster Nikhil Barla addressed the media about the team’s preparations and how they will be countering the Highlanders challenge.

Khalid Jamil is delighted to play at Shillong

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong is one of the most serene and beautiful venues across the country to host a football match. Recently, it hosted two international matches for the Blue Tigers against Maldives and Bangladesh.

After arriving in Shillong, Khalid Jamil expressed his happiness to play in Shillong. While talking about playing in the North East, he shared, “We are very happy to be here. The players are enjoying themselves, and Shillong has always been a special place for football. The atmosphere, the fans, and the stadium—it all looks fantastic. We are looking forward to giving a strong performance and delivering a positive result.”

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The break’s impact on the playoffs

The Red Miners were in dire need of a break after going through a series of winless runs. Khalid Jamil’s men would be keen to turn around their fortunes and exhibit a resilient display of football when they go head-to-head against the Highlanders.

Talking about the break, Khalid Jamil shared, “The break was very important for us. It helped the players recover both physically and mentally. Some players needed rest, while those carrying injuries have used this time to bounce back. It was a much-needed break, and now we are fully recharged and focused on the playoff.”

It’s now or never for the Red Miners

Khalid Jamil is not leaving any stone unturned as the Red Miners eye a potential semi-final spot. Apart from being the second coach in Jamshedpur’s history to land them into the playoffs, Khalid Jamil will be looking to capitalise on his team’s excellent run to advance further into the semi-finals.

He stated, “This is a completely different game from the league phase. We must approach it with a positive mindset, as there is no second chance. We know our past results against NorthEast United, but this is a fresh challenge, and we are ready to step up and take responsibility. We have worked hard in training, and now it’s time to show our best on the pitch.”

Do those old memories still haunt Khalid?

In the two regular games against the Highlanders, Khalid’s men faced two humiliating defeats. Firstly, they were handed a 5-0 defeat after being reduced to 10-men in their last outing to Guwahati. In their most recent encounter, Juan Pedro Benali’s men had the last laugh at the Furnace with a 2-0 win.

He shared, “Yes, they deserved their wins against us in the league, but this is a fresh start. This match is all or nothing—we either win, or our journey ends. Mentally, we have to be strong. We have analyzed our past performances, worked on our weaknesses, and are fully prepared to turn things around.”

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