Owen Coyle explains how he orchestrated win against ATK Mohun Bagan

The Scottish boss was pleased with his team's overall performance.

After a flurry of tough outings, the sun has shone in the Jamshedpur FC camp as they edged past ATK Mohun Bagan 2-1 to secure their first win in the Indian Super League this season. A brace from talisman Nerijus Valskis was enough to see the Men of Steel home and hand the Mariners their first defeat. Owen Coyle, who was very pleased with his players on the night, highlighted the tight schedule his team have had over the last couple of weeks.

"We have been playing well in patches, but we put it all together today. Also, I heard people saying five days break, but we have played four matches in 12 days and play again in three days. So, if there's a team who can speak about tough schedule, it's definitely us," Owen Coyle said at the post-match press conference. 

Although Valskis scored the goals for them, the Men of Steel had several stars throughout the pitch, who helped the team to secure this crucial win. Indian players like William Lalnunfela and Mobashir Rahman were at the top of the list and Coyle reiterated the same. "The improvement in the young Indian players is something that I have enjoyed the most because we have some great young boys. It is not about the likes of William and Mobashir, there are more of them."

“It is something we are trying to build at Jamshedpur and it is not about three or four games, all through the season. Once you allow them freedom and give them the confidence to express themselves, it feels nice when it comes off, particularly against a team like ATKMB."

Both goals that Jamshedpur FC scored were from corners and it looked like they had a proper plan to test the otherwise sturdy ATKMB defence with their set-piece variations. When questioned, the former Wigan manager said, "Yes, it was a conscious effort to test them with set-pieces. It is a team that has not conceded a goal and has limited the opposition with a few chances. So, we knew we had to take the game to them, play with high intensity and look to get in behind, which we did."

“I think Nerka (Nerijus Valskis) was outstanding. So was young William, who came on as a sub the other night, did very well when he got his opportunity. It is pleasing to see when the young Indian players do well. I think even Rehenesh was very good and so was Mobashir. I think every one of them played their part tonight."

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The Men of Steel have had some difficult results coming to this game, as they were 2-0 up against Odisha at the break and could only secure a draw from that fixture. When quizzed about the chances of that happening, the Scotsman added, "Obviously, there was a chance because it was 2-1, but it should not have been. The goal should not have been counted."

Lastly, he highlighted the role of William as a second striker to support Valskis and also spoke about Alex Lima's courage to perform for the team, despite an injury. 

"The idea was simple, William has done very well coming on and I thought Nerka needed more support in and around him. Alex Lima has been carrying an injury from the first game of the season and I had to throw him out tonight again, he is such a brave player. He still wanted to be out there and give everything that he could and credit to him for that. Once he is healthy, he will show what a wonderful player he is. But every one of those boys gave everything and that's very pleasing."

"We are building a team which will be competitive and can stand toe-to-toe with some of the best teams, when we are at our very best. What was pleasing was that we were terrific in the first half against Odisha and second half against Hyderabad, but we brought it all together tonight. 

“It is what I said to them before the game, that we have to bring a complete performance, which we did against an outstanding team with wonderful players. Moving forward we will have to use this as a springboard to kick on and try to do even better," Owen Coyle concluded.

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