Hero Indian Super League (ISL) debutants Jamshedpur FC picked up their first victory and scored their first goal when they edged Delhi Dynamos FC 1-0 in their previous encounter. Next up for them is their second home fixture, this time against FC Pune City. The Stallions have one of the strongest line ups in the league, while Jamshedpur are the only team yet to concede so far. Speaking to the media during the pre-match press conference was their head coach Steve Coppell, who began by expressing his delight after picking up a crucial win against Delhi.

“Obviously, I am very pleased with the victory in Delhi,” the Englishman revealed. “I think we deserved it, and were the marginally stronger team on the night. But I think we had scoring opportunities on the evening. We won the game 1-0, but would have liked to win it by a better margin. Very happy with the three points though.”

He also admitted that the next match brings tougher opponents, while lauding Pune’s squad, picking out two players in particular. “I think Pune is a top side, and it is fair to say that,” Coppell stated. “They have arguably the two best strikers in the league. Both Marcelinho and (Emiliano) Alfaro are excellent, and they make a powerful combination. It will be a tough game, and we are fully aware of that. We just hope it is a good game for everyone to watch, and is enjoyed by all.”

The 62-year-old went on to acknowledge that the ground conditions are a problem and that he hopes for a better pitch for the match. “It (the ground) is obviously not what Jamshedpur planned,” Coppell admitted. “They (the team) wanted to have a beautiful surface. It appears that we have a few issues, based on the evidence from the first game. I know everyone has worked very hard to correct those issues for the second game. But, we won’t know how it will play until tomorrow afternoon. I hope it is a firm surface, and the players can run, dribble and pass the ball without being frightened.”

Before wrapping up, he shed light on the availability of Sameehg Doutie and Anas Edathodika. Of Doutie he said, “There is no action (taken against him). He had a few personal issues in Delhi, which he is resolving at the moment, and he will be joining up with us over the weekend.”

Referring to Anas he added, “Anas is injured. He is not with us at the moment, and is going for specialist physiotherapy. He has an adductor problem inside his leg, and as I said, he is not with us.”