File image of Jamshedpur FC
Jamshedpur FC will look to achieve a hat-trick of home wins when they face defending champions Bengaluru FC in an Indian Super League (ISL) tie at the JRD Tata Sports Complex here on Sunday.
The Men of Steel have made a good start to the ISL season, having picked up six points in two games against Odisha FC and Hyderabad FC.
Coach Antonio Iriondo's team has played an attacking brand of football and have taken the game to the opposition. Key to their style of play has been midfielder Piti, who has controlled the proceedings and has shown that he has an eye for defence-splitting passes. Piti's performance will be the key against Bengaluru, who are yet to win in two matches.
"Playing against the defending champions is a big test. They are a very good team. It will be a mistake to see the table and judge Bengaluru. (But) we have been doing well so we have a chance to win. The important thing is to focus on your own team and your own strategies," Iriondo said on the eve of the match.
Jamshedpur striker Sergio Castel, who has taken the ISL by storm with two goals to his name already, will also play a huge role for Iriondo's team. And it isn't just their foreign contingent, Indian players such as Farukh Choudhary, Aniket Jadhav and Mobashir Rahman, have also shone.
Bengaluru FC, on the other hand, are searching for their first win this season after having picked up only a point each in their last two fixtures. They drew against NorthEast United FC in their opening game and were unlucky to settle for a point against FC Goa, who had a late penalty from Ferran Corominas to thank.
"A lot of positive things to take away from the Goa game. I am proud of the way we played. Coro did not get any chance. My defenders read the situation well and stopped them from scoring. We have lost four points but now we have to be mentally stronger than ever. We will come out stronger against Jamshedpur," said Bengaluru FC coach Carles Cuadrat.
Whether Jamshedpur will look to keep the ball and dominate or choose to hit on the counter against Bengaluru is something which Iriondo has to take a call on. But going by the way they have played in the two matches so far, they are comfortable doing either.
An interesting clash is on the cards as two solid teams go head-to-head this weekend.
