Entire squad returns to training ahead of Bengaluru FC clash
Jamshedpur, Dec. 16: After much needed five- day break, Jamshedpur FC boys are back in the city. On Saturday, the players sweated-it-out during training at the Tata Football Academy (TFA) ground in Bistupur in presence of head coach Steve Coppell, assistant coaches Walter Downes, Ishfaq Ahmed and goalkeeping coach Robert Mimms.
Seven Jamshedpur FC players including Subrata Paul, Sanjiban Ghosh, Mehtab Hossain, Shouvik Ghosh, Souvik Chakrabarti, Ashim Biswas and Siddharth Singh who left for their homes after the loss against the FC Pune City at the JRD Stadium on December 10, are back and were present at the practice session on Saturday.
The team preparations are in full-swing with the entire squad training hard as the Indian Super league debutants are scheduled to play against the table toppers Bengaluru FC in an away match on December 21 which may be termed as one the toughest encounters for the Steve Coppell headed side. Bengaluru FC side has 12 points for five matches with four wins and a loss while Jamshedpur FC is placed sixth on the ISL table with six points.
It may be noted that some of the Indian players including Farukh Choudhary, Sumeet Passi, Jerry Mawhimmingthanga, Yumnam Raju Mangang, Sairuat Kima, Bikash Jairu and Robin Gurung stayed back in Jamshedpur along with all the foreign players despite coach Steve Coppell granting them a five-day off.
During the five-day break head coach Steve Coppell, assistant coaches Walter Downes, Ishfaq Ahmed and goalkeeping coach Robert Mimms played golf at the Beldih Golf Course and enjoyed the game for around two hours.
While players tried their hands at cricket and table tennis at the flatlets in Kadma to keep them busy. Controversial Sameehg Doutie was seen batting while captain of the side kept wickets.
Tata Steel-owned ISL franchise Jamshedpur FC have played five matches registering a win, a loss and three games ended in a draw. JFC boys have got the much needed break and time to prepare for the match against the Bengaluru FC and will be raring to go after the home loss against FC Pune City.