Goa: Hyderabad FC will face Jamshedpur FC in their third game of the Indian Super League on Wednesday (December 2). With four points in the first two games, Hyderabad are brimming in confidence while Jamshedpur have just earned a single point after their first two games.
Hyderabad FC have a strong line-up this season. With the likes of Aridane Santana at the top, they felt secure in the first two games. In their last game against Bengaluru FC, they had the lion’s share of position and created more opportunities in front of goal. But lack of finishing and some good saves by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stopped them to earn six points out of the first two matches.
With the likes of Halicharan Narzary, Asish Rai, Jao Victor and Subrata Paul on their side, Hyderabad FC have enough firepower to douse the opposition. If they win against Jamshedpur on Wednesday, they will go top of the league table for a moment and this will be their best start to their ISL campaign. But Nerijus Valskis will be a matter of concern for Hyderabad FC coach Manolo Marquez, as the Lithuanian has bagged three goals in the first two games already.
“He [Nerijus Valskis] won the Golden Boot last season and this season he already has three goals and three very different goals… he’s not a typical striker and can play on the sides and wings as well. He’s very difficult to mark because there’s no clear reference. We have to be very focused and concrete because Valskis is a very good centre-forward,” said Marquez during the pre-match press conference.
Whereas on the other hand, Jamshedpur FC bottled a two-goal lead in their last game against Odisha FC. Valskis has been in the scoresheet for the side, so he will be their target man but the concern for Owen Coyle will be the defence. The defence has played very poorly in the first two outings and no doubt this will be a matter of concern for Coyle as the team needs buck up before facing a confident Hyderabad FC.
“We are very respectful of the quality that Hyderabad have. Aridane has been a wonderful player in the league and he continues that show again. So, we are well aware of the threats they have and are respectful towards that. That being said, if we can perform the way we did in the first half [against Odisha FC] then we will be capable of going and winning the three points for ourselves. So, we respect the opposition but are focused on what we can do,” Coyle said.
