Mumbai City FC ended Jamshedpur FC’s unbeaten home run in Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 with a 2-1 win over them at the JRD Tata Sports Complex on Thursday. Paulo Machado and Raynier Fernandes were amongst the goals for Jorge Costa’s men, who are suddenly just three points off the top spot.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, the Islanders head coach revealed that his team was aware that winning three points in Jamshedpur’s own backyard was never going to be easy, Costa said, “We knew it will be a very difficult game. It was not our best performance this season. I can explain why. First, because we played against a very good team. They are doing well this season.”

He continued, “Second, we had a very tough game four days ago in Bengaluru. After the game ended there, we didn’t have a training ground. So, we made a session in the gym. So, I knew the players will not be so focused. I asked the players to have the ball, to control the ball. We did not do it. We didn’t have the ball like we like. We gave control to Jamshedpur.”

“In the first half, we were not so good. But we controlled the game. I did not see Amrinder (Singh) making great saves. I also know that we didn’t create so many chances to score. Sometimes you play bad, sometimes you play not so good, but the good thing is that I see the players fight and show good organization. We are going back home with three points,” added the Portuguese.

The 48-year-old, however, also claimed that Jamshedpur didn’t have a lot of chances on the night despite having the bulk of the ball. “I saw Jamshedpur play a lot of passes, but in my mind from what I saw in the game, I didn’t see Jamshedpur creating a lot of chances. I saw them playing a lot of crosses. I saw them playing direct in the last minute. I don’t agree that they created a lot of chances,” Costa said.

Read the Match Report here.