Coppell blames lack of chances, Lobera reveals happiness with players' performance

Goa sealed a playoffs berth with the win over Jamshedpur on Sunday.

Jamshedpur FC missed out on a semi-final spot in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 after succumbing to a 3 – 0 defeat at the hands of FC Goa on Sunday at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur. Goalkeeper Subrata Paul got sent off early in the game, forcing the league debutants to play most of the game with 10-men.

Addressing the media during the post-match press conference was the host’s head coach Steve Coppell, who highlighted the difference Paul’s red card made to their preparations. “Obviously it makes a huge difference when your goalkeeper gets sent off seven to eight minutes into the game,” he stated. “It changes the emphasis of the team. The goals conceded had nothing to do with defensive lapses. It had everything to do with playing with ten men. For us, to overcome losing the goalkeeper was a massively difficult task.”

The Englishman further explained how his team could not implicate their game-plan. “We had a game-plan to close them down and limit their space,” revealed Coppell. “We tried to stop them playing out from the goalkeeper. But when the game-plan got disrupted after Subrata was sent off within eight and a half minutes, all of a sudden everything fell apart.”

Before signing off for the season, the former Manchester United winger added, “We did not get a chance to go at them and we wanted to go at them. We could not really get on the front foot and throw the punches because we played almost all of the match with ten men.”

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FC Goa sealed a semi-final berth in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 after beating Jamshedpur FC 3 – 0 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Sunday. The Spanish duo of Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote were at it again, scoring the goals for the Gaurs. Jamshedpur also had their keeper Subrata Paul sent off early in the game, of which the visitors took full advantage before their own custodian Naveen Kumar was shown a straight red.

Goa qualify as the third-placed team and addressing the media during the post-match press conference was their head coach Sergio Lobera, who pointed out that having a man-advantage does not necessarily give a team an edge at all times. “I think every game has important moments,” he stated. “It may seem that playing against 10 men is easier, but it does not always work out like that. Sometimes playing against ten men can be difficult. But our team knew what to do in the right moments and managed the game well tactically. I am very happy that my players did their job because it is tough to come and play here in Jamshedpur.”

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The Spaniard also acknowledged his opponents’ strength, admitting that the encounter was a tough one. “Jamshedpur are a tough side and going into our game, they had a chance of making it to the semi-finals,” he said. “That made them very dangerous for us. They are a good side and had conceded the least number of goals, while also keeping the maximum clean sheets. And today we scored three goals against such a team.”

Before wrapping up, Lobera also mentioned how the team would prepare for their semi-final fixture against Chennaiyin FC. “Now we are thinking about the fact that our first match will be at home,” the 41-year-old said. “It has been a tough period for us, having played four matches in 15 days. The team has to recover quickly in time for the semi-finals and the 180 minutes of football will be difficult. But I have faith on my team and know that if we maintain the level of football we are playing now, we will achieve what we are aiming for.”