Jamshedpur FC head coach Owen Coyle stated their performance was worth three points after they defeated NorthEast United by 3-2 in the 51st match of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim on Thursday. It was a thrilling game as Ishan Pandita scored the winner in the stoppage time.
Jamshedpur FC took a total of eight shots on target and they were able to convert three. Deshorn Brown scored in the fourth minute for NorthEast United however Jordan Murray was able to equalize just at the stroke of half-time.
Boris then gave a 2-1 lead to Jamshedpur FC but the Highlanders equalized as Deshorn Brown scored his second in the injury time. However, Ishan Pandita came up with a winner to help his team get over the line.
Owen Coyle was delighted with the performance of his team and added that they deserve to bag all three points.
Coyle said in the post-match press conference, ”I’m delighted with the performance but also delighted to get the three points because you mentioned the two draws we had, then we lost to Chennaiyin FC, and truth be told, we should have won all three games with some big, big chances. And then certainly the other night, Chennaiyin FC got the points, but on that performance, we should have had something from the game if not the win, but we had to pick ourselves up, show a reaction as we did when we lost the game against Mumbai”
“And we did that. We made it difficult for ourselves by conceding the late goal. But the character of our team is that they pick themselves up, they go forward again and young Pandita who’s been knocking at the door last few games, he had a wonderful chance against Kerala Blasters FC, a wonderful chance against Chennaiyin FC and then he pops up with a winner, so I’m delighted for Ishan. He’s such a lovely kid. He is still there. I said to him don’t ever worry when you’re missing chances because you’re still getting chances. The time to worry as a striker is when you’re not getting chances. But tonight Ishan scored, Jordan scored. We could have scored six or seven tonight. So the performance from being a goal down which was for me was clearly offside, but we picked ourselves up with numerous chances in the first half and nobody could argue that Jamshedpur FC were worth three points tonight”.
Coyle heaped praise on Jordan Murray, who equalized for Jamshedpur FC just before the halftime whistle. The team’s manager added that Murray is a wonderful player and deserves all the credit.
He added, “Jordan Murray didn’t have to prove that. He is a wonderful player, he was probably our best player in pre-season. He picked up an injury that took a little bit of time but Murray, the other night against Chennaiyin FC was outstanding as well. Of course, maybe he missed one or two chances but that’s the nature of football particularly as a striker you know, you have to be there to miss chances. And then when you’re there, you score chances you want to score every one. Murray was outstanding tonight, and if he hadn’t scored the goal if he hadn’t had an assist, I’d be saying the same thing because of what he brings to our team and the work rate and all the quality that he brings”.
Coyle also lauded youngster Ishan Pandita who scored the winner for his team. Pandita has impressed with his skills and he has shown the promise to go a long way in his career. Coyle added that he is looking to improve Pandita’s all-round game and he could be a serious player for the national team if he keeps improving.
Coyle concluded, “Yeah, I love the kid and that’s why I brought him and of course he knows we’ve got good strikers but he’s had plenty minutes and he’ll know himself he is such a such a great kid, he has such a hunger for scoring goals that he’s been angry with himself because of the couple of chances he’s missed. But I said to him, just stay with it, the chances will come, your goals will come and it’s great. I mean, particularly how late the goal was and having lost a goal to bounce back again in injury time. And that’s what he does. He’s a natural goalscorer. I’m still looking to improve his all-around game. If I do that, then I tell you, India is going to have a very good center-forward for the national team”.
Jamshedpur FC will next face SC East Bengal on Tuesday at the Athletic Stadium, Bambolim.
