Jamshedpur FC head coach Scott Cooper pointed out that his players need more precision in terms of converting their chances as his team suffered a 4-1 defeat against Odisha FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday.

Despite Rei Tachikawa giving the visitors an early lead in the 23rd minute, the hosts came back with four goals within the first half, with Roy Krishna’s brace and an assist helping Odisha FC continue their longest eight-match unbeaten streak in the ISL. Krishna was pivotal for the Kalinga Warriors, causing problems in and around the box, while Isak Vanlalruatfela and Diego Mauricio put their names on the scoresheet to wrap up the year on a very positive note.

Defeat at Kalinga Stadium. pic.twitter.com/KXD6gLuPeL

— Jamshedpur FC (@JamshedpurFC) December 29, 2023

Cooper acknowledged that his team had a very good start to the game by getting an early opportunistic goal. But he also felt that his players lost their concentration in the last quarter of the first half, which he felt cost them points despite creating numerous chances in the second half.

“We made a good start, leading 1-0,” Cooper stated in the post-match press conference.

“I think we cancelled out the number ten of Odisha FC (Ahmed Jahouh) like we planned to do. Everything was going smoothly—a good goal. And then we had a 20-minute spell of madness—that loss of concentration. Some players made mistakes that they don't normally make, and you have to give Odisha FC credit. They give us a lesson in capitalisation, capitalising on things that are presented to them because they didn't make anything,” he added.

The Englishman believes that his team gifted goals to his opponent in that 20-minute spell of the first half. But he expressed pride for his players’ eagerness to come back in the game by creating numerous chances and displaying fighting spirit.

“Goals are scored in three ways. Either you score them or somebody gives you, or from set pieces, and we gave goals away in a 20-minute spell,” he commented.

“I was proud of the players in the second half. They came out to show and try to do something. There are five or six very good chances that we couldn't convert. So, we'd like to go back to ourselves again,” he continued.

Cooper had lots of words for his young players like Mohammed Sanan K and Nikhil Barla, who showcased their potential in the absence of some of their key players like Steve Ambri, Alen Stevanovic, and Pronay Halder. Despite their mistakes, he praised them for showing their character throughout the entire second half.

“I'm not going to complain,” he said.

“How do you complain that a teenage striker, a teenage wingback, a left-wing back that's never played there before, and a young grooming player in midfield? How'd you complain about them? You can't. They got themselves into a winning position (in the second half),” he continued.

“They messed it up in a 20-minute spell. They responded for the second half in good fashion. I can't go in and hammer them. We have to learn from our mistakes, and that's simply what we'll take from this game. That's it.,” he signed off.