Jamshedpur FC host newcomers Hyderabad FC in their second home match of the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 at the JRD TATA Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Tuesday. Having won their opening match against Odisha FC with a last gasp winner despite playing for over 60 minutes with a man less, the Jharkhand-based side will go into the coming fixture in a confident frame of mind.

At the pre-match press conference, Jamshedpur head coach Antonio Iriondo expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance against Odisha, but stated that there’s still a lot of room for improvements. “We conceded a goal in the last match despite playing almost 60 minutes with a man down (against Odisha). Good things always need time. So, we will keep training and try to be better in both offence and defence. I am very happy with the players and the way they are improving.”

“The team is still under construction and we are still working on our style of play. The important thing is that the players have put in a great effort and I am very happy about that. I am very particular about the way we play and not just the result. I am happy about the result (in the last match) but also with the way we played. At this point, I still think we need to keep improving to achieve our goal,” the Spaniard added.

Speaking about the match against Hyderabad, Iriondo remarked, “I think this is a different match and we have to focus on that. We have to play together as a team. Stats aren’t important and I hope we can win against Hyderabad.”

Asked about the difference he is trying to bring into the side compared to previous seasons, Iriondo revealed, “I have respect for the past coaches and players who were at the club. I am sure they did their best to put the team on a high level. But this is a new year, a new season, so we have to think like that. I don’t think the past makes a difference. We don’t want to mix ideas of the past with new ideas as that may create confusion.”

The head coach was joined by club captain Tiri at the media interaction. Quizzed about the secret behind him successfully plying his trade in India for so many years now, the Spanish defender said, “I think the most important thing is to work as a team, not just inside the pitch but outside the pitch too. So, everyone needs to work together and go towards the same direction.”

Read the Match Preview here.