'Kerala is a huge challenge,' says Jamshedpur FC boss Owen Coyle ahead of the ISL semi-final first-leg clash

Jamshedpur FC will take on Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian super League (ISL) semi-final first leg clash at the Fatorda Stadium on Friday. The Red Miners are heading into the match on the back of a 1-0 win over ATK Mohun Bagan that helped them to a Iift the ISL Winner’s Shield title. Owen Coyle’s side finished the league stage at the summit of the standings with 43 points from 20 games. Meanwhile KBFC secured the fourth and final play-offs spot by winning two of their last three games and collecting 34 points in total.

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Working their socks off and gearing up to give their 100% in our first leg of the semi-finals! ??⚽ #JFCKBFC #JamKeKhelo @TataSteelLtd pic.twitter.com/SrS8L5Ea2S

— Jamshedpur FC (@JamshedpurFC) March 10, 2022

Jamshedpur FC had defeated the Blasters 3-0 in their last meeting. Both teams have a strong defence, having kept seven clean sheets each so far. Therefore JFC boss Owen Coyle expects Blasters to pose a threat when the two sides meet. 

Speaking ahead of the first leg of the ISL semi-final between the two sides, the Englishman said: “Kerala is a huge challenge. We’ve been the best team in the country as brought out by the points we’ve gotten, the run we’ve been on, by all the records. But when you come into a cup competition, which this is, anything can happen in any game. So we’re very wary of the opponents who are a fantastic team.”

JFC are on an incredible run of form having won all of their last seven games, scoring 22 goals and conceding just six. On the other hand, the Tuskers played out a thrilling 4-4 draw against FC Goa in their last match after their semi-final qualification was sealed following Mumbai City FC loss to Hyderabad FC.

The front-four of Blasters, Jorge Diaz, Alvaro Vazquez, Adrian Luna and Sahal Abdul Samad could pose a threat to the JFC defence. The four of them have been in phenomenal form and complement each other very well. Sahal scored an impressive solo-goal in the decisive match against MFC and registered an assist in the previous game.

Coyle added: “I know this is going to be a tough couple of games and they’ll know it as well because they know the quality of Jamshedpur. So on any given day, all four teams will feel they are capable of winning the playoffs.”

The Jamshedpur FC head coach went on to make his side’s ambitions clear, stating: “But we have shown over the course of 20 league games that we’re the best team in the country and that’s there for everyone to see. What we want to do is win this playoff tournament and try to do the double.”