We want to win the ISL league winner's shield, asserts Owen Coyle

The Jamshedpur FC head coach spoke to the media before the match against Odisha FC on Friday.

Jamshedpur FC will look to consolidate their lead at the top of the table when they take on Odisha FC in the Hero Indian Super League at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim on Friday. The last time the two sides met, Jamshedpur FC trounced past Odisha FC. Courtesy a hat-trick from star man Jamshedur’s main man Greg Stewart, the Men of Steel registered a thumping 4-0 win. Head coach Owen Coyle spoke to the media before the match on Friday. Here are excerpts:

On the challenges against Odisha

Owen Coyle: “I think Odisha is very challenging for many reasons. Firstly because of our own agenda to try to win enough points to finish in the top position. That will be a remarkable achievement and to do that we have to play our best game. They have shown against ATK when they would’ve won the game. So we have to be focused and disciplined knowing Odisha have attack minded players. And we are very respectful of them.”

On fans demanding more after play-offs

Owen Coyle: “The fans have the same mentality as the players and staff. We want to win the shield, the best thing is our destiny is in our own hands. We have created this thing together as a team. We are aware of the backing of faithful fans and read their messages. And we are looking to do that to make them proud of this team. We have not come this far to stop, we will continue pushing and achieve more.”

On Mobashir’s red card

Owen Coyle: “I think the red card was harsh on Mobashir. That was our first sent off this season because we have been so disciplined. Mobashir was entangled with Mishra and for me he tried to get his leg out from it. But he will miss the game and we have been players missing every game but we are not letting it over.”

“We are short of midfielders with Jitu missing too. But we focus on stuffs what we can do and will make sure the players coming in are ready to give their 100 percent for the team. Like in last game my skipper was 60 percent fit and played with painkiller injections.”

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