ISL 2021-22: We want to finish at the top of the points table – Jamshedpur FC’s Owen Coyle

Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle stated that the team will aim to try and finish at the numero uno position in the league stage. Jamshedpur has never qualified for the semifinal stages in the history of the Hero Indian Super League and they have a great chance to make it to the last four.

Jamshedpur won a thrilling contest against reigning champions Mumbai City FC by 3-2  in the 67th match of the ongoing Hero ISL at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Thursday. This win takes Jamshedpur to the third position in the standings with 28 points from 15 matches and they are one point away from table-toppers Hyderabad FC. Furthermore, Jamshedpur FC has a game in hand as Hyderabad has played 16 matches.

Meanwhile, Greg Stewart scored through a penalty in the last minute of the game to help his team get three points.

When asked whether finishing at the top of the points table is a reality now, Owen Coyle said in the post-match press conference, “Well, why not? I mean, I’ve got to say first and foremost, Jamshedpur FC has never been in the semi-finals. So that was obviously a target at the start of the season. But we’ve shown that we can stand toe-to-toe with the best teams in the league. So, we want to finish at the highest possible spot. If it’s first, we don’t want to be second, and if it’s second we don’t want to be third. But we’re certainly striving as everyone else is for that top spot, some very good teams in the league teams that we still have to play against. So everything is in our own hands, we will decide our own fate. If we perform to our maximum as we did in the first half, we are a match for anybody”.

Coyle added that this win will definitely add a shot in the arm to his team’s players. Jamshedpur has been in good form and they will look to continue the good show.

Coyle added, “Well, we always have a very positive mood anyway. But of course, when you win it enhances. We’ve been winning quite a lot. I think that’s five of the last six games. We don’t get too low when we lose, because we’ve had a couple of punches in the nose. But we’ve picked ourselves up quickly. So we’re always trying to stay balanced, so it was important, but it’s finished. Now, the most important game for us is the next one. We have to prepare for the game and then play it again the next day. So it’s a big ask, mainly to get some freshness from the team. But the important thing is that we go with the same desire to win another three points”.

Meanwhile, Jamshedpur had won against Kerala Blasters FC by 3-0 and continued their winning impetus against the defending champions. Greg Stewart scored a brace for the team against Mumbai.

Coyle concluded, “Yeah, but there was another massive win against Kerala Blasters FC because you’re playing direct rivals for the top four spots. So, those games are proverbial six-pointers, if we lost we would have been three points behind Mumbai. So, that’s how crucial the game was. First half we were outstanding, it could have been three or four-nil if truth be told. And then we expected that we’d have to suffer a little bit in the second half because Mumbai are champions for a reason. They’re a proud team with wonderful players”.

Jamshedpur FC will next face Chennaiyin FC at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday.