Cesar Ferrando promises defensive improvement, Steve Coppell praises Komal Thatal

The Men of Steel have never lost against the Kolkata outfit in the league.

The Men of Steel take on ATK in the Eastern Derby in a homecoming for Steve Coppell and Andre Bikey from last season. Both the sides will be going into this match brimming with confidence after getting positive turnarounds in their respective last fixtures. It will also be a special occasion for ATK gaffer Coppell, who will be up against his former side from last season for the first time, since leaving them for the Kolkata-based outfit this term.

Coach’s Corner

Cesar Ferrando

The Jamshedpur FC gaffer was first asked to give his views on their last game against Bengaluru to which he replied, “The defence could have done better in that game and I was not so happy as we let in two easy goals, which, with a bit more composure we could have avoided.”

He continued, “We need to work together and improve our performance. We are working very hard on the training ground on our defensive formation and we will not let the opponents easily score goals from now on.”

Ferrando was then requested to express his views on the opposition which he faces. “ATK has good players. A good coach. They have improved a lot in their last games. But, we will go out on the field tomorrow with only one aim, to win the match. The opposition which we face in this league will be always good and we have to grind out a positive result from that," he stressed

The local players in the squad have had a big influence on the team. So, the tactician was questioned about whether any of them will be starting against ATK. “Mobashir (Rahman) is injured and will sit out the game. Gourav (Mukhi) maybe will start on the bench, but it’s not decided yet," Ferrando informed.

Elaborating further he said, "We see the performance of the players and not their age. Iif they play well they will get a chance and this also gives out a statement about how good the football academy (Tata Football Academy) is for producing such level of talent, which can play in the top football competition of the nation."

Coppell, the visitors' coach was formerly in-charge of the Jamshedpur side and helped them to finish in a respectable position in their debut season in the league. The head coach was asked for his views on the Englishman.

”Steve is a nice coach and we have a lot of players in the current team which he had signed, but we aren’t planning to play a different game for him. We will play like the way we have played so far, a possession-based game. 

When further questioned about Tim Cahill’s performance in the last match Ferrando seemed positive. "Tim did not score, but it’s not important for him to score. Its important for the team to score and if Tim doesn’t score, there is Cido (Sergio Cidoncha), Gourav, Mario (Arques) who can score."

He further added, “The role of the fans in our home game is very important and their support can give that extra push which is needed to help US in getting a victory. Also, if we play well our fans will love us and support us.”

Steve Coppell

The interaction with Coppell started by journalists questioning him about how he felt on his return to Jamshedpur and how the new revamped JFC have fared in their first two games of the season. “It’s great to be back to Jamshedpur, as I was a part of this side last season and to be a part of a new franchise is always exciting, as it’s a fresh book with no previous expectations and you can write a total chapter of it.”

He further continued, “They had a good start to the season and they would like to press on and so will we tomorrow for a good result.” After suffering two back-to-back defeats in their first two games, the Englishman was asked whether he change anything for the game against Delhi.

“We just tinkered a bit with the way we play in the Delhi game and we got a good result out of it. Every time it’s not about changing your starting XI, but it’s the small tweaks which can give you positive turnarounds.”

The interaction with Coppell wrapped up with his views on Komal Thatal’s performance this season, “Komal, when he was on the pitch, was excellent and he had a good game. He’s a lad who’s comfortable with the ball and he has a bright future," he concluded.

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Team News

Jamshedpur FC

The local lad from Jamshedpur Mobashir Rahman is out with an injury. Veteran goalkeeper Subrata Paul is still serving his 3-match ban. However, the rest of the players are all fit.

ATK

The visitors have no injuries from the last game which they played against Delhi Dynamos.

Probable Lineups

Jamshedpur FC: Subhasish (GK), Y. Raju, Tiri, Pratik, Dhanachandra, Memo, Mario, Soosairaj, Cidoncha, Jerry, Cahill

ATK: Arindam (GK), Khongjee, Johnson, Bikey, Ricky, Halder, Noussair, Everton, Komal, Lanzarote, Balwant

Did You Know?

• ATK are yet to score a goal against Jamshedpur FC as in their previous two encounters one was a goalless draw and the other being an away 0-1 victory for the Jamshedpur side.
• Out of the four goals which Jamshedpur FC have scored this season, Mario Arques has been involved in three of them, scoring one and assisting another two.
• ATK are yet to keep a clean sheet this season, having conceded four goals in their opening three fixtures of this season.

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Broadcast

The match will take place tomorrow at 7:30 PM at the JRD Tata Complex in Jamshedpur. On television, the match will be live on Star Sports. Meanwhile, it will also be streamed on Hotstar and Jio TV.