ISL 2021-22: What made Hyderabad FC, Jamshedpur FC successful over other biggies

By
Triyasha Chatterjee
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0

Goa: The eighth edition of the Indian Super League ended with a surprise as two of the most unexpected teams secured the trophy and shield expressing some sheer dominance of rather big names.

Owen Coyle’s Jamshedpur FC became the ISL Shield winners after claiming the top spot in the table after defeating ATK Mohun Bagan on in the final round-robin match. Hyderabad FC clinched their maiden ISL trophy beating Kerala Blasters FC in the final.

While both the teams have come as a surprise to the opponents, their dominance through the league was understandable and could be resonated with quite several important reasons.

Sportslight Media takes a look at the performance of the teams and why they overpowered other big names to the top.

1. Trusting in the process of the coaches 

Jamshedpur FC brought in Owen Coyle a season prior in 2020-21 season following the Englishman’s stint with Chennaiyin FC. Jamshedpur finished sixth in Coyle’s debut with Red Miners with only seven wins from 20 games and just 27 points. However, Jamshedpur understood the underrated potential of the 55-year-old and Coyle rewarded them with the ISL League Winners’ Shield. JFC finished with 43 points from 20 games.

Coyle faced a lot of criticisms when he brought striker Daniel Chima Chukwu from SC East Bengal in the middle of the season. The Nigerian proved Coyle was right as Chukwu scored seven times in eight games for Jamshedpur.

The flourishment of Greg Stewart, Jordan Murray, and Eli Sabia can also be credited to Coyle. The happiness of the Men of Steel was cut short when coach Coyle declared his sudden departure due to personal issues.

However, Owen Coyle’s tactics will be unmatched because of his clear vision. The strategies were straightforward to score and not concede. At the same time, the coach can be easily credited with building the team spirit that upheld amazing coordination among the players.

Owen Coyle (left) with the ISL Shield; Manolo Marquez after winning the ISL trophy

Whereas a certain amount of similarity was seen in the ISL champions Hyderabad FC as well. They only just missed out on the play-offs in the 2020-21 season but the management kept faith in Manolo Marquez for another season.

The Spaniard’s ways and tactics had impressed everybody in 2020-21 and only towards the end of the season did Hyderabad’s form. Players like Ashish Mishra, Asish Rai, Joel Chianese, and Joao Victor had impressed under Marquez.

But this time, instead of searching for a new coach, Hyderabad ensured there was continuity in the club by backing him and helping him improve the team. That decision had proved beneficial, with the Spaniard leading the club to the title.

2. A rather able Indian young contingent

One of the prime reasons for Hyderabad FC, as well as Jamshedpur FC’s success, could be resonated with the presence and efforts of the young Indian contingent for both sides. Jamshedpur featured the likes of Jitendra Singh, Boris Singh, Ritwik Das, and Ishan Pandita.

While Jitendra Singh was rock solid in the midfield handling both the defensive and well as the attack duties, Boris and Ritwik scored some amazing goals throughout the season tearing up defenses like that of ATK Mohun Bagan. Ishan Pandita on the other hand came off the bench most of the time and delivered as a super-sub that helped the Red Miners to get points from some of the most important encounters.

Jamshedpur FC’s Indian contingent- Boris Singh, Ishan Pandita, Jitendra Singh, and Ritwik Das

The Nizam’s at the same time had an Indian contingent they could boast of. From experienced Chinglensana Kosham Singh to 20-year-old Akash Mishra their defense was rock solid. Even a fit Ashish Rai was at his best as the team conceded only 23 goals. Nikhil Poojary was the perfect wingback for the setup, delivering some of the most important crosses throughout the campaign.

As a forward Rohit Danu failed to score a lot but he made some good runs and helped in maintaining the cohesion in the final third. However, despite being average the whole season, Sahil Tavora scored the much-needed equaliser in the finals for Nizam’s which helped them to get their hands on the maiden ISL trophy.

Hyderabad FC’s Indian contingent- Nikhil Poojary, Chinglensana Kosham Singh, Rohit Danu, and Akash Mishra

3. Greg Stewart’s brilliance and Bartholomew Ogbeche’s unstoppable numbers

Greg Stewart and Bartholomew Ogbeche

Greg Stewart was awarded the “Hero of The League” for his sublime performance throughout the season and it can be one of the major reasons behind Jamshedpur FC’s success. Playing 18 games out of the 20 in the round-robin stages, Stewart managed to put in 10 goals while bagging 11 assists himself.

He was the only player in the tournament to hit double digits in the tally of both goals and assists. Despite being a complete attacking player, Stewart made 14 important clearances and interceptions in averting away the dangers from the Men of Steel.

On the other hand, Bartholomew Ogbeche had a season one could only dream of. The Nigerian scored 18 goals in 20 appearances to get his hands on the Golden Boot. This season saw the Nigerian become the all-time top scorer of the tournament with 52 goals since playing in India.

Despite some unmatched attacking numbers, Ogbeche made around 25 important clearances to keep his team on the strongest grounds.

4. Bonus – The tale of unbeatable goalkeepers

While the attack and the defense for the teams have been top-notch, the brilliance from the goalkeepers like Laxmikant Kattimani and TP Rehenesh has added to the tally of positives for the teams.

Laxmikant Kattimani was awarded the Man of the Match in the final because if not for his three crucial saves in the penalty-shootout, Hyderabad FC wouldn’t have had their hands on the maiden ISL trophy. Throughout the season, the custodian played 22 games conceding only 23 goals making 61 saves in the process.

As for TP Rehenesh, he hasn’t been any less to that of Kattimani. Playing 19 games overall this season he kept seven clean sheets. Making 52 saves while conceding only 22. The goalkeepers made some crucial clearances at the same time, keeping their teams in dominating positions.

The teams proved that patience in the process and a belief in the players can provide results. The most important aspect of the teams was how better they made young Indian players that most of them were handed their senior International debut right after by coach Igor Stimac. Some of the players will be seen back at the action in the ISL Reserves League starting from April.

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