The win shows team's character, says Owen Coyle

The tactician was all praise for his team's Indian youngsters.

Jamshedpur FC locked horns with Kerala Blasters in a six-pointer game. The latter had no answers to the free-flowing, attacking football Jamshedpur played. Greg Stewart and Daniel Chima killed the game within eight minutes after half-time. Pleased by the victory and the team’s performance, Owen Coyle applauded the lads in the post-match press conference. Here are the excerpts.

Thoughts on penalties

Jamshedpur FC were awarded a penalty after 32 games in the Indian Super League. The last one was against Odisha FC during last season. Speaking on this and whether the penalties were controversial, Owen Coyle said, “The penalties were well-deserved.

"We should have been given numerous penalties in those 32 games. The penalties came like London buses, when one comes along then another one comes along (smiles). So, those were penalties, first one for Greg and another for Boris, who has been outstanding tonight.”

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On Daniel Chima’s consistency

Daniel Chima has now scored three goals in a row for his new club. On this level of consistency, the tactician stated, “I told you from the start Daniel Chima is a wonderful player. Not because of his goals, but what he adds to the team.

"I think it’s important he is consistent. He plays well with Greg and the wingers. There is no doubt that Jamshedpur is a very exciting team and Chima is playing a big part in that.”

On fielding rejuvenated XI

“It was very important to freshen up a little bit. Like against Bengaluru we made mistakes, (we conceded from) a throw, a corner. But, today we were defensively good,” Coyle noted.

“Pronay (Halder) did very well, so did young Ritwik (Das). I am delighted because we have the players that the clubs discarded thinking they are not good enough. But, I saw their abilities, (I explained) my system, how we want to play, the high intensity, how brave and attack-minded we are. Now, all those boys are playing a part,” the manager continued.

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On sacrificing Alex Lima 

The coach solidified his defence with Peter Hartley and Eli Sabia at the back, resulting in the exclusion of Alex Lima from the XI. 

“It was hard tonight for Alex Lima because he was arguably our best player against Bengaluru. Due to four foreigners' rule Alex was sacrificed to accommodate Peter and Eli at the back. These two are again outstanding players. But, Alex is an outstanding professional. Whenever the team needs, he steps up. That's what we need from the players,” the boss stated on the matter.

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