Jamshedpur - who had to endure a painstaking night against the Gaurs last time the two teams met. The Gaurs recorded another one of their signature come-from-behind wins with Igor Angulo getting the winner in injury time. That brought an end to Jamshedpur’s 6-game unbeaten run which had seen them climb into the top four.
Goa are currently in third position at the half-way mark with 15 points but are 10 points behind leaders Mumbai City . With another 10 games to go, the Gaurs' Spanish coach Juan Ferrando pledged to take one game at a time, ahead of the clash against Jamshedpur.
The Gaurs finished on top last season, but this year, they have struggled to get desired results despite dominating most of their games. They have conceded the first goal in 8 out of their 10 matches. Lapses in concentration are not doing justice to their defense which, overall, has performed decently.
“Our target is to get three points every day. Of course, my dream is 50 points, to win all games and to get three points. We are not completely happy but now it’s important to take it step by step and in football, every game matters. We have to take each game at a time and tomorrow we have an important game,” said Goa coach Juan Ferrando.
In their away leg, Goa were lucky to walk away with three points. However, the Spaniard seemed confident that he had addressed the issues in the concerned departments. “It’s (Jamshedpur) a good team and have very good players. For us, it’s a new chapter and we are working every day to improve some details in defence and some details in attack. We are not going to repeat the same problems against Jamshedpur.”
Jamshedpur are yet to find a player who can get them goals apart from Nerijus Valskis. The Lithuanian has scored 8 out of 12 goals this season. But Ferrando chose to plan out for the entire team than just prepare to play against one man.
“I believe in my squad and I believe in my players. For us, it’s more important to play as a team and to prepare the plan against one team — Jamshedpur,” he added.
Jamshedpur coach Owen Coyle is well aware his side cannot make any mistakes against FC Goa, who dominate possession and are lethal in attack.
“We have to eradicate individual mistakes and continue to move forward, continue to improve. We have to do it against FC Goa, who are a very good side. We have to continue working hard, working together and continue to get better,” stated Coyle.
“Goa have a very good coach and some terrific players and the playing style they have been playing for many years, that has continued their progression. All credits to them. We know their strengths, we know their weakness and now we have to give our best. And that’s our focus,” said Coyle.
SPORTS
FOOTBALL ISL: KEEN CONTEST ON CARD AS GOA CLASH WITH JAMSHEDPU
Sports Correspondent - 2021-01-13 15:39
Fatorda, Goa: Goa will look to extend its 3-game unbeaten streak when they take on Jamshedpur in the Hero Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Thursday.