Coppell hopes for a fruitful day in front of adoring fans
Head coach Steve Coppell will return to his old stomping ground when he leads Jamshedpur FC against his former club Kerala Blasters FC here on Friday. The Englishman took the Blasters to the final last season and is part of the Yellow Army folklore.
“I’m very happy to be in Kochi and see some of my old players, to see the fans and the stadium. It brings back a lot of happy memories for me from last season. The reception I’ve had so far on the streets is lovely and it’s nice to be remembered. But it’s a new season and I’m here to do a job for someone else. That’s what happens in football,” the former Manchester United winger said, praising the intense atmosphere that Kerala’s fans produce at home.
Apart from some returning players, Coppell’s assistant coach Ishfaq Ahmed will also pit his brains against his former team. Ahmed played for the Kerala Blasters before joining Jamshedpur’s technical staff. Coppell said that there wouldn’t be any attempt from his team to find a point from the match. “We’re going for the win,” he said, as Jamshedpur go into their second away match in a row. Both teams played out 0-0 draws in their opening games of the season.
Kerala Blasters head coach Rene Meulensteen faced a frustrating evening on opening day against Atletico de Kolkata. His side took 10 shots but hit the target only five times, and he admitted that work was done to improve the final product while attacking.
“I know Steve [Coppell] and I expect his team to be very difficult to beat. It will be direct and they can catch you unaware. He will have the team well organised, hardworking and hard to break down. So we need to show a lot of quality, be alert and produce a high level of energy,” the Dutchman said.
The teams will have shirked off the anxiety of the first game, and will slowly gel over a few games, both head coaches said. He also hinted that Dimitar Berbatov could play in the hole behind the striker, a position from where he had the most influence in the previous game after he started it as a lone striker and was left begging for better service.
“We have to maximise the quality we have and we try out different options to do that. I have players who can play in different positions and this helps me rotate them on the frontline. It also gives us some unpredictability up front,” he said. The participation of former Manchester United defender Wes Brown will be touch and go as well.
Coppell insisted that there wasn’t enough football played in the season to judge the character of teams and how they would play, but Friday’s game will certainly see enough players on the pitch – like Berbatov – who can change the game in the blink of an eye.
Also Read: Delhi Dynamos ride on Chhangte special
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates on Indian Football
Mohun Bagan Super Giant produce magnificent triumph to storm into second straight ISL final after 2-0 win against Odisha FC
Kolkata, April 28: Mohun Bagan Super Giant emerged triumphant against the Odisha FC by 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata tonight to win the second leg of their…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / MFA Super League
Redefining Mumbai Football: The unique approach of India On Track FC
In a football landscape where clubs often prioritize short-term success over long-term sustainability, India On Track FC (IOT FC) stands out as a beacon of dedication, unity, and unwavering commitment…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MYJ-GMSC Completes Unbeaten Season with Draw Against Millat FC
Kartik Strike in the first half seize’s MYJ-GMSC their unbeaten debut season in MFA Premier League In a high-octane Clash at the MFA Premier League, MYJ-GMSC faced off against Millat…
Mumbai City FC ease past FC Goa to set up blockbuster grand finale clash against ISL Champions Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai, April 29: Mumbai City FC set up a finals date with the Mohun Bagan Super Giant after defeating FC Goa by 2-0 in the second leg of their semi-final…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC Seals Penultimate Game with Thrilling 2-1 Win Over Reliance FYC
Yogesh Kadam’s First-Half Brace Propels MH Oranje FC Toward a Strong Season Finish. MH Oranje FC clinched a significant 2-1 win over Reliance FYC in the penultimate game of the…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…