They are clearly the best team in the Hero ISL - Steve Coppell

The hosts failed to hold onto the ball for the better part of the game.

Jamshedpur FC fell to a 2 – 0 against Bengaluru FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Jamshedpur had their fair share of chances, and even struck the crossbar, but were undone by two first-half goals from Miku and Sunil Chhetri. The result means that they remain fourth, but still very much in the reckoning for a playoff spot.

Speaking to the media during the post-match press conference was their head coach, Steve Coppell and he praised Bengaluru for their display on the pitch. “They (Bengaluru FC) are clearly the best team in the Hero ISL,” remarked the Englishman. “And they proved that tonight. This win is their seventh in nine away games, which is exceptional. They are in a slightly different shape, which gave us problems in the first half.”

The former Manchester United winger highlighted the problems which resulted in the defeat. “The first goal we conceded was because of a back-pass, which is unlike us because we do not pass back very much,” he explained. “And the second goal was from a set-piece, and we knew how dangerous they could be from those. But at 2 – 0, we got really ragged. And we needed half-time to come to get reorganised.”

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The 62-year-old also admitted that the Blues did a good job keeping Jamshedpur at bay to earn the win. “We had some 20 odd shots, and had some really good situations,” Coppell inferred. “Their goalkeeper made some terrific saves. And they were still dangerous on the break. So, we needed a goal to go in (at half-time) just to give ourselves (a chance). We lacked adrenaline today, but that was not down to us. I think it was down to what was in the opposition. It is disappointing. And from here, we have got to rid our blues and come back fighting next week in the game against Goa.”

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Meanwhile, Bengaluru FC head coach Albert Roca shared his delight in having secured a top-place finish this season. “We knew that they (Jamshedpur FC) had to win this match to give themselves motivation, and our job was to try to give our best and win,” the Spaniard stated. “And we got the job done and secured the three points. So, I am happy. Now, we have cemented the top position, which shows we had a very good season.”

Sunil Chhetri became the first Indian to score 10 goals in a single Hero ISL campaign and Roca heaped praise on the Bengaluru captain. “He (Chhetri) is an outstanding player and deserves all the credit,” he remarked. “He is showing in every game that he is capable of playing great football. He is unselfish, so we are lucky to have this kind of player as our captain.”