Jamshedpur wary of Bengaluru threat ahead of Hero Super Cup 2023 semi-final
KOZHIKODE: The Hero Super Cup 2023 campaign has wound down to it’s business end, as four semi-finalists – Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC and NorthEast United FC, are ready to battle it out for a spot in the summit clash.
The first semi-final of the tournament will feature Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC, with the match kicking off at the EMS Corporation Stadium in Kozhikode at 7 pm IST on Friday, April 21, 2023.
The Blues have had an initial hiccup when they had to come from behind to earn a point against Sreenidi FC in Group A, but have been in control of their fate since then, defeating RoundGlass Punjab (2-0), and earning a draw against Kerala Blasters (1-1) in front of a partisan crowd in Kozhikode, to make their way to the semis as the group winners.
Bengaluru head coach Simon Grayson welcomed the break his side got in the last few days, which the club used to make the short trip back home to Bengaluru, before heading back to Kozhikode for the semi-finals.
“I think we’ve got a welcome break in the last couple of days. It helped us to recharge our batteries a little bit, returning to Bengaluru and getting a few training sessions done as well. We’re ready to go again and look forward to the game on Friday,” said Grayson.
Bengaluru have fashioned themselves into a side that have long runs in the knockout stages, and the Hero Super Cup has proved to be no different for the former champions, who lifted the trophy in 2018. The Blues have already won the Durand Cup earlier this season, and also made it to the final of the Hero Indian Super League.
“It’s another test, but it’s an opportunity for us to make our third final this season, which would be a fantastic achievement. It plays a part, both mentally and physically, that you’re ready,” said Grayson.
“Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. When you play in big games, you know that you have to play with your head as well as your heart. We’ve got the experience of doing that and hopefully that will prove to be positive when we come to the final whistle on Friday night,” he said.
For Jamshedpur FC, it is more a matter of salvaging a season that they would otherwise like to forget. The club from the Steel City, after finishing 10th in the Hero Indian Super League, has shown good form, and were the only side in the Hero Super Cup to book their semi-final spot with a game in hand.
Head coach Adrian Boothroyd said, “I’m very pleased with how the group stage went for us, but that is over now, and means nothing. We have been attacking a lot, and scoring goals, so the boys are quite enjoying the tournament.”
Jamshedpur have netted 11 and conceded five in their three Hero Super Cup matches, and Boothroyd feels that it’s the back-line that needs to shore-up, ahead of the semi-final.
“The lads have played really well and scored lots of goals. But for me, a few more clean sheets would have been nice,” he said. “We’ve got plenty of good players who are fit and strong. The coaching has been good, and we’d love to get some good results against some good teams. Of course, we’re playing a bit of catch-up (after a poor start to the season), but the Hero Super Cup gives us that opportunity.”
Bengaluru FC have had the upper hand against Jamshedpur in their previous encounters this season in the Hero ISL, with the former having won both legs (1-0 and 3-0). However, the side from the Garden City is not taking their opponents lightly.
“They had a very difficult start to the season, but Jamshedpur have been very hard to play against in the second half of the campaign,” said Grayson. “They’ve been scoring a lot of goals towards the end of the Hero ISL, and especially in the Hero Super Cup, they’ve scored a lot of goals, so we’re in for a very tough game.”
Boothroyd remembered the time when he had shared the pitch with Grayson back in their playing days, and felt that it would be an interesting game at the EMS Stadium on Friday.
“I’m very much looking forward to the game. I’ve played against Simon before, and it will be interesting. Bengaluru are a good side, they have won the Durand Cup, got to the finals of the ISL, so we have a lot of respect for them,” said Boothroyd. “But we have to come up with a plan to nullify their strengths and expose their weaknesses, and we’re working on that.”
The match between Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC will be played at the EMS Corporation Stadium on Friday, April 21, 2023, with the kick-off scheduled for 7 pm IST; the game will be broadcast and streamed live on Sony Sports Network 2 and Fan Code, respectively.
Also Read: Resilient all-Indian Mumbai City FC prevail; defeat Chennayin FC 1-0 in Super Cup
Also Read: Farukh Choudhary rises from the ashes ahead of Hero Super Cup semis
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…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League
MH Oranje FC finish runner-up in Mumbai Premier League
Aimar Adam’s second-half brace secures MH Oranje FC a 2-0 win over MIllat as they finish Runner-Up of Mumbai Premier League 2023-24 season. In a closely contested match in the…
Maharashtra Squad for Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship announced
Maharashtra Squad for Swami Vivekananda U20 National Football Championship announced Maharashtra State U-20 Men’s Football Team which will participate in the Swami Vivekananda U-20 Men’s National Football Championship to be…
Subrata Pal: The playing standard of the Reliance Foundation Development League has improved with every passing year
Anticipation mounts as Reliance Foundation Development League 2023-24 semi-finalists set the stage for the National Championship – Mumbai, May 6, 2024: The Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) 2023-24 gears up for…
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…
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners after remarkable 3-1 comeback win against Mohun Bagan Super Giant
Mumbai City FC crowned ISL Cup Winners Kolkata, May 4: Mumbai City FC beat Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium to emerge as the Indian Super…
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…