ISL 2023-24: We opened up the door for Mohun Bagan SG – Jamshedpur FC’s Steve Cooper

Jamshedpur FC interim head coach Steve Cooper reckons they opened the door for Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their 3-2 loss in the ongoing Indian Super League at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Wednesday.

The home team took the lead early into the game as Mohammed Sanan scored in the sixth minute. However, Armando Sadiku equalized for the Mariners in the 29th minute of the game.

The visitors took the lead in the second half as Liston Colaco scored right after the break. MBSG strengthened their grip on the match as Kiyan Nassiri scored in the 80th minute. Steve Ambri got one back for the Red Miners but it was not enough for them. Jamshedpur FC also took only three shots on target.

Cooper reckons his team could not capitalize after taking the lead. “It was never my intention to fall back at 1-0. I wanted two, I wanted three. I think Mohun Bagan (SG) were there for the taking tonight. At 1-0, their centre-backs were all over the place when we were pressing them. And then we had one or two players who decided not to keep their shape,” he said in the post-match press conference.

“We opened up the door for Mohun Bagan (SG) because they had a very bad start. We created more chances than them. We created 13; they created 11. But we opened up the door because some players didn’t do their job properly. And I’m watching them,” he explained.

In fact, Cooper added Rei Tachikawa and forward Semboi Haokip at the 70th-minute mark after Rehenesh was sent off. Ambri also impressed for Jamshedpur FC and Cooper was happy with his substitutes’ performances.

“Steve Ambri hit the crossbar after coming on. He looked fantastic, didn’t he? I would have liked to have played him for the whole game, but he still had a bit of an ankle injury, so we could only use him for 10 minutes. But in those 10 minutes, he showed his class. Semboi came on and did the same thing. With 10 men, we ran the risk. Sometimes Mohun Bagan (SG) broke away, but we had many opportunities with 10 men. It showed the spirit of the team. There’s nothing wrong with the spirit; we just need some players to understand their roles better. The players that came in, Rei (Tachikawa), Semboi, Steve Ambri… They did a really good job of pushing the pace of the game, and they showed me why I must play them in the next game,” he further emphasised.

Jamshedpur FC will enjoy a long break now and they will next be in action against FC on 27th November at Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa.