JFC would like to do an encore when they square up against Mumbai City FC in their first ISL match on October 2.
Jamshedpur posted a 2-1 win over Mumbai in their backyard and played a 2-2 draw at home in the second round.
The 33-member JFC contingent, including 25 players, will leave for Mumbai via Ranchi on Sunday morning.
Head coach Cesar Ferrando said they would put in all effort to start on a winning note. “We don’t know much about our opponents neither do they about us. Our preparation in Spain was good. The pre-season matches were friendlies. The match against Mumbai will be our first test,” he said.
Will Jamshedur have a psychological advantage? “Well, it’s a new season. We need to keep calm. There is no advantage as such. Both coaches are new. JFC is going into the match to win. If we win in Mumbai, we will have a psychological advantage over the team when they come to Jamshedpur,” he said.
On having to face Bengaluru FC in the second match, Ferrando said they will prepare on a match to match basis. “My focus in only Mumbai now. After that we will think about Bangalore,” he added.
Asked if his players have adapted to his philosophy, the JFC head coach said, “My philosophy is to win. I don’t know any coach who doesn’t want to win. You can play long or short, it doesn’t matter. You have to win. Real Madrid plays long and Barcelona plays short but both play with the objective to win and both of them have succeeded,” Ferrando said.
He said Tim Cahill was their key player. “He (Cahill) is guiding the younger players and making them understand the importance of physical fitness and psychology of the game with all his experience. “Tim has played a lot of top-level football in his life and has a good influence, both on an off the field.
JFC will miss Cahill and goalie Subrata Paul owing to suspensions. The former will miss the first match against Mumbai while Paul will have to sit in the ties versus Mumbai, Bangalore and ATK.
Barring a calf injury to Dhanachandra Singh, rest of the JFC players are fit and look to put their best foot forward against Mumbai. “Singh will regain his fitness in a week’s time,” Ferrando signed off.
