Jose Molina weighs in on Jamshedpur FC challenge before ISL semi-final first leg

Jose Molina’s Mohun Bagan Super Giant will take on in ISL 2024-25 semifinal 2.

Jose Molina’s Mohun Bagan are ready to travel for the first leg of the 2024-25 Indian Super League (ISL) semifinal against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex, Jamshedpur, on Thursday (3 April). The Mariners were held to a 1-1 draw in the previous game at the stadium and hope to get a win this time around and gain an early advantage in the tie.

Ahead of the game, Jose Molina spoke about how tough the ISL semifinals will be for his side and stated: “These matches will be very difficult, the two semifinals and possibly one final. In this moment, the only match is most important for me is the next match. I’m not thinking about the final, as we are not in the final. We have to fight in the semi-final and try to win two matches to get to the final. We’ve had a long gap since our last match; some players have played in the national team, and some went through injuries.

On facing Jamshedpur FC

“These two matches will be difficult for sure, it will be difficult for everybody. But I have utmost confidence in my players and the way we work. We are ready and of course, the most important thing now is to want to win and we definitely want to win the cup, we are ready to fight for it. We are happy with the ISL shield, but that is the past for us. Now we want to win again,” he added.

When asked about what kind of approach his side will take for the first leg, the gaffer explained: “We will never play for not trying to lose a match. We always play to win. This time, it’s not going to be different. I know this is going to be a home-and-away knockout tie and not a league phase game. But every time I go onto the pitch, my team has to fight to win.

“We’ll try to go for the win. We have absolute respect for Jamshedpur, but we feel that we will be able to do it. If we can do a good job and be successful in the final third with our finishing, we can win in Jamshedpur. Hopefully, we can be more successful in front of the goal this time than we were in the league game. If we can’t win, we have the second leg here at home, and our fans always help us a lot. We’ll try to win the second one in that case,” he also quipped.

On Vishal Kaith’s performance

Molina dismissed criticism on Vishal Kaith’s performance in India’s 0-0 draw against Bangladesh recently and tips him to be at his best in his return for Mohun Bagan.

He claimed: “It’s not my opinion that he had a bad international break. He got two more clean sheets while playing for the national team, but of course that is not only for him because the whole team defended well. Maybe you think that he made mistakes, but mistakes are a part of football and that can happen. We trust him, there are no doubts and I’m sure he will have a great match against Jamshedpur.”

Finally, the gaffer had some praise for Jamshedpur FC head coach Khalid Jamil for the work he’s done with the Men of Steel so far this season. He stated: “Respect him and I feel he’s done a great job as Jamshedpur are enjoying a great season.

“They won a tough match against NorthEast United in the last match; he’s proving himself as a really good coach,” the Spaniard finished off.

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