Owen Coyle ready, Ivan Vukomanovic unhappy with two-legged playoffs

Jamshedpur are unbeaten against Kerala Blasters this season.

Having already secured their first-ever title in history, Jamshedpur FC will want to book their place in the final when they face Kerala Blasters in the first leg of the Indian Super League semifinals. Owen Coyle's side beat ATK Mohun Bagan to clinch this season's League Shield, their maiden trophy in the ISL. They could also now complete a league double. But for that, the Men of Steel will have to go through Ivan Vukomanovic's men in the playoffs.

While Jamshedpur FC topped the league, Kerala Blasters finished fourth to make the playoffs. The Men in Yellow are winless in three games against JFC and have won only once in 10 meetings. They were beaten 3-0 in one of two league meetings this season, while another ended a stalemate. But the playoffs are a different stage and past results won't matter here, feels Vukomanovic.

Ahead of the match, coaches Ivan Vukomanovic and Owen Coyle shared their thoughts on the match.

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Jamshedpur FC Head Coach Owen Coyle

On bringing Len so early in place of Boris in last game

Owen Coyle: “First we wanted to freshen up the team before getting into the big game. Because we have to play so many games in such a short period of time. We have played six games in the last 17 days and every game was a high-pressure situation. The pressure was there everybody was winning, ATK (Mohun Bagan) were on 15 games unbeaten run and Bengaluru on nine games. We had to win 10 of 11 games to get the prize. So we freshened up with Boris and Jitendra in. But Boris had a niggle and we did not want to take any risk with his hamstring. So that was the reason we wanted Boris to be healthy and Len was ready to play.”

Thoughts on Kerala Blasters

Owen Coyle: “Kerala Blasters (game) is a huge challenge. We are the champions and have broken several records being on the winning run. But when you come to a cup competition anything can happen on any day. We are very aware of our opponents, we have played them twice in pre-season and league stages. So, I believe on any other day all four teams are capable of winning the play-offs tournament. We have to be at our best else Kerala Blasters will cause us big problems.”

Dinpuia’s performance in last game

Owen Coyle: “In my team, if somebody misses out, there are players ready to step up. You have seen Dinpuia playing in the place of Skipper against Odisha and was a good presence against an outstanding player Jonathas. He came in the half-time against Liston who is among the top Indian player in the league. He has shown he is ready for the task. So we will put him in if Dinliana misses out.”

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Message for the fans

Owen Coyle: “Hopefully you have enjoyed the season this far and still more to come. We are just delighted to deliver the league shield. We have shown that Jamshedpur is the best team in India. All of us want to try to take it to the next level and for that keep supporting us.”

Kerala Blasters Head Coach Ivan Vukomanovic

Challenge of Jamshedpur FC

Ivan Vukomanovic: It's a physically very tough team and it will be an open fight. Their style of play is how we like to play. I think the previous 20 games in the ISL are in the past now. It's a new chapter, a new day. So, it will be different. The fact that I don't like it is that we are playing two games. It should be a one game. But anyway, it will be an open fight in 180 minutes. Physically tough game, many duels, many runnings in the night - it will be like that. It's always going to be like that against Jamshedpur.

Changes in strategy

Ivan Vukomanovic: We've seen this year that in ISL, anybody can beat anybody. So, when you're facing a tough team in the playoffs, small details during one game can affect and influence the game. In these kinds of games, you've to be focused and concentrated and careful about certain details. It's different now since it's the knockout stage. There are many possibilities that you can score a goal and that you've to explore to get a good result. So, we'll do our best and try to use some moments to create something.

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Focus on set-pieces

Ivan Vukomanovic: In the playoffs, you can't just concentrate on one or two details. You've to explore and use all the small details. In the past games against them, we conceded two penalties and you've to be very focused and concentrated in these kinds of games. Use all the details that can make the difference. Against this kind of opponent, these details decide whether you win or lose the game. 

So tomorrow, we will be trying not to make these fouls and give away penalties. We must be concentrated in every possible detail of the game. Defensive line, how we press, how we defend the set-pieces - all kinds of details. In the playoffs, we have to think about everything and be prepared.

Reflections on season

Ivan Vukomanovic: It's a better feeling than when we started this adventure. We think we are on the right path. As a club, we started controlling the objective part and we think that we have become better. We are now standing where nobody expected us to be standing and this gives us extra power. We're sorry that we couldn't have fans see us and we hope this wouldn't be the case next season. It has affected everybody a lot. 

This playoffs gives you even more pleasure and motivation to continue. As an ex-football player and now a coach, I feel privileged that I got to do something that I love. I feel for those who have to go to work and do something that they don't like, just to provide for their family. So, it's a pleasure and joy that we do something that we love. When you get paid for that it's better. We're privileged because we are working in a business that's football.

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Hormipam selected for national camp

Ivan Vukomanovic: Actually, Jeakson can give more information about that because they are roommates (laughs). He's a great person, a great player with great potential and great progression. Not only him, but all the youngsters who are here to improve, to develop even more. Because we must not forget that this is his first season in the ISL level and I'm very glad that among other players, he's dealt with strong players to achieve points and all these different kinds of feelings. 

So, our objective since we started, with not only him but all the other young players we recognised that they need to play. And that we have to try to improve them even more. We're very happy and glad that we have a couple of players in the national team list. We will continue working hard with them because this is a great motivation for us and for the club. I think they can be even better.

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