ISL 2019-20 | Not going to tell how Jamshedpur are going to try and beat Goa, says Antonio Iriondo
Jamshedpur FC head coach Antonio Iriondo has hesitated to reveal his plans in trying and beating a prolific goalscoring FC Goa side ahead of their away game at the Fatorda Stadium on Tuesday. Striker Sergio Castel also revealed why he chose to play in India and shared his league experience.
Jamshedpur FC will be travelling to Goa to face an unbeaten FC Goa side after they themselves lost the mantle with a 1-3 loss to ATK just before the international break. The Men of Steel are fifth on the table with seven points and will have a hard time taming the in-form Gaurs, who are now third on the table with eight points.
Jamshedpur's head coach Antonio Iriondo has termed Goa as a great team and has decided to keep his strategy for the match close to his chest. “We have played against two of the teams that are supposed to be at the top of the league at the end of the season, like Kolkata (ATK) and Bengaluru, So, we are happy with the results. We are in the process of working on our game to get better. Goa, Kolkata and Bengaluru for me, are the top three teams at this moment," said the Spaniard at his pre-match press conference, ISL website reported.
"So, I’m not going to tell you how we are going to try and beat (Goa). They are a great team, and let’s see.” he added.Â
AIFF suspended FC Goa's key players Seiminlen Doungel and Hugo Boumous for their misconduct against NorthEast United FC, but with the Gaurs beating Chennaiyin FC without many stars in their season opener, Iriondo does not take Goa lightly.
“Great teams, teams that are able to win championships, are those that have good squads. Goa is a great team even without those two players. So, we are going to face a difficult team,” he said.
The Spanish gaffer also praised the international break that gave his team the much-needed rest. “I hope (the break) was good for us. When you have a few good matches before a break like this, you have to be very careful. For us, it is maybe good. We have more time to prepare, more time to train and keep improving. So, I think it is going to be good.” the Spanish manager said.
The 65-year-old manager also shared his expectations from the team. “I will like the players to adjust a bit quicker to what I want from them. But we have to understand that it is a little bit tough to do what we are asking. Difficult things and good things take time. So, we are going to try to keep improving and try to be better, and get the team we want to have.” Iriondo concluded.
Jamshedpur FC's Atletico Madrid B loanee Sergio Castel, who was also present with the manager, revealed why he chose to play in India. The young striker is the joint top scorer in ISL with three goals. “I made the decision to come to India because I felt it was a great opportunity for me to improve. When such a big country like this calls you, I don’t think too much. I knew the coach before, the way he used to play. So, for me it was an easy decision. The way that we are playing is that we are trying to improve every day in training. So, we have to keep doing that. I am very happy to stay here with this team and with this club.”
The 24-year-old striker also shared how he is enjoying in India and the physicality of the league. “Here, my first impression is that the game is very physical. There are two blocks and too much space, but it is good for fans. Sometimes there are many goals. Not like in Spain and Italy where it is very tactical. So, I like to play here. I enjoy myself,” Sergio concluded.