We didn’t take our chances against Punjab FC: Jamshedpur FC’s Scott Cooper
Jamshedpur FC interim head coach Scott Cooper expressed disappointment with his team's missed opportunities as they were held to a goalless draw by Punjab FC on Sunday.
Jamshedpur FC interim head coach Scott Cooper expressed disappointment with his team's missed opportunities as they were held to a goalless draw by Punjab FC at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Sunday.
The match showcased end-to-end action between both teams at the Furnace. However, despite the intensity, both sides failed to capitalise on their chances. Jamshedpur FC registered 17 shots, compared to Punjab FC's five. Unfortunately, 12 of Jamshedpur FC's attempts were off target, highlighting their wastefulness in front of goal. Cooper, reflecting on the outcome, wished his players had demonstrated better composure when finishing and was dissatisfied with how their inability to convert chances allowed Punjab FC to stay in the game.
“I’m not satisfied with the result. You can never say you deserve to win the game. You deserve to win the game if you win the game. We made a lot of chances. We could have made even more chances if we had been more careful in the attacking third. We didn't take our chances. So I think we let Punjab FC off the hook a little bit. That said, they had some good moments towards the end of the game themselves. When you don't take their chances and convert all those opportunities, the (opposition) team that’s still in the game always has a chance to get a goal. Punjab FC at the end, looked like they could threaten us,” Cooper stated in the post-match press conference.
This season, Jamshedpur FC has only managed to score once in four games while conceding an equal number of goals. They have maintained three clean sheets in four matches, including two at home, but have struggled to find the back of the net. Cooper commended his team's tactical performance and urged his players to exhibit composure when in front of goal.
“All in all, it’s a story of who we are. We are a team that defends very well and we don't give many chances away. We make many chances and don't score them,” he said.
“Tactically we are getting everything right. Tactically we are strong. We are doing everything we can do because as a coach, if your team is not giving chances away and not conceding goals and you're making chances, that's what you want. We just need players to show that last bit of composure (in the final third) and finish. In some moments, one extra pass for someone else for an easy finish,” he added.