After the one day Christmas break, the Indian Super League will be resumed on Sunday when Owen Coyle’s Jamshedpur FC will face the high spirited Kerala Blasters FC of Ivan Vukomanovic. Both the teams are even on everything as of now. Both of them are in the playoff spots with equal number of points (12) and are level in terms of goal difference (+5).
Spirits at the Blasters camp are high as they have got two consecutive 3-0 victories against Mumbai City FC and Chennaiyin FC. While Jamshedpur FC played part in a goalless draw against Bengaluru FC on Monday.
Ahead of the boxing day clash against Kerala Blasters, the Jamshedpur FC head coach addressed the media where he was highly praising his next opponents. Here are the excerpts from the same:
Injury updates?
“We have four-five injury concerns ahead of the Kerala Blasters FC game. Previously, Pronoy had missed out. Valskis felt a niggle in the warm up and had to come out. Komal got injured in the game, as did Len Doungel. We will give them time till the last minute but it’s fair to say that few will miss out.”
Will we see an all Indian defence and an attack full of foreigners?
“Well, there is always a possibility. I mean, I think in fairness to Anas he is training hard everyday. He has been out, as you know for a long period with that injury. But he is back now and he came on in the game against Mumbai City FC and did very well. He is a tremendous professional and ofcourse, that gives you options.”
“With that being said, we have two very wonderful Centre Backs. So we are pleased with our foreign players alongwith our Indian lads. It gives you options moving forward.”
Your thoughts on the performance of team’s defensive line-up?
“We feel a couple of games earlier we could have had them and we were given a sloppy goal away here and there. We are playing a wonderful team and an in-form team Kerala Blasters who are doing very well, particularly the offensive players. You know, Pereyra Diaz, Vasquez, Luna, Sahal, all are terrific players. So we have got to be wary of the threat they have got and give them the utmost respect.”
What role will be assigned to Mobashir once he is fully fit to play?
“Yeah that’s the competition for places. That’s the same as Alex Lima and Pronoy Halder in there. Mobashir is back in training, which is great and he’s training at a good level. What he needs is minutes on the field.”
In your opinion, who are some of the dangerous players in the Tuskers’ squad?
“I think I mentioned it earlier. I think they have wonderful foreigners. Vasquez, who is a striker who has played at a very high level. Pereyra Diaz is also a very good player. Luna, very clever. The young Sahal Abdul Samad, a really offensive player, pleasing in the eye, quick, can score and create a goal. They have Prasanth, a winger who can come on and is quick. So they have got dangerous players and a dangerous team and that’s the thing. It’s not about individuals at Kerala Blasters. They have worked as a team and they will be very dangerous opponents.”
“We have played them in the pre-season friendlies and they know that Jamshedpur FC are also a very good side. We may few injuries but we will put a team on the field that’s going all out to win the games.”
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