After failing to make the semi-finals last season, Jamshedpur FC have impressed everyone so far with Ishan Pandita as a key part of the reason for this season's success. Jamshedpur FC are currently placed third in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) table, one point behind table-toppers Hyderabad FC, with a game in hand.

The Men of Steel look set to make the semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history and this monumental feat is not far from the minds of the JFC fans. The pressure will be on the entire Jamshedpur FC squad to make this dream a reality.

Coming back after a two-week break from their last match against SC East Bengal due to Covid-19, Owen Coyle’s men would want to continue their winning run when they take on FC Goa on Friday.  

Ahead of the match, Ishan Pandita gave a pre-match interview talking about the whole squad’s mood after the two-week break, the importance of the FC Goa clash, and the winning streak.

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

What will be the team's approach for FC Goa after the long break?

In every game, we always look for 3 points and that strategy is not going to change. We may be at a slight disadvantage right now because we have been in isolation for a very long time and we have not trained as much. So, the game is going to be a bit difficult for us but like always Jamshedpur is going to be looking for 3 points. We are going to be tough in our approach and will do our thing and hope we get the desired result.

Are the 2 consecutive wins an advantage for the Jamshedpur FC?

Ideally, it will be an advantage to us but right now because of the isolation break we have not been training much. Things are not the way they were before but we are not going to focus on the negatives now. We did get in a few days of training, so hopefully, we will make the most of that and definitely put up a good show for the fans.

How important is the  FC Goa game and it is a motivator for the team?

I think every game in the Hero ISL is important, especially this year with the league being so competitive. Every point and every game counts. So, it's going to be another important game and another massive 3 points to grab. We will be looking to win it.