ISL 2017: Jamshedpur FC foreign preseason tour roundup
ISL newbies Jamshedpur FC have been in Thailand for their preseason training ahead of their debut Indian Super League season. The TATA-promoted team from the Steel City joined the ISL bandwagon back in June along with JSW-owned Bengaluru FC as a part of league's expansion to 10 cities from the then eight.
In a first shocking move from the debutants, they snatched Kerala Blasters' coach from last season, Steve Coppell. He had taken Kerala Blasters into the final for the second time in three seasons last time around and their fans wanted him to continue guiding the team. However, it is believed that some undisclosed differences between the management and coach made him join Jamshedpur FC. Along with him, a few ex-Blasters players also joined the force including assistant coach Ishfaq Ahmed and the experienced Mehtab Hussain.
It was a satisfactory tour for them as they could register four wins in five outings and got as many as six different scorers for them and also managed to break deadlock first in as many as three occasions.
The Men of Steel started their stint in Thailand in the second week of October and first faced Thailand's third division outfit JL Chiangmai United FC.The Steel City-based side enjoyed the majority of the possession and proceedings against the clueless Thai side.The lone goal from Jerry Mawhimingthanga was enough to secure a win for the ISL side in their debut match. The fifty third-minute goal from Jerry on Souvik's pass from right flank marked the first ever goal for the Men of Steel.
However, it was not that easy against fighting Thai second division outfit Chiangmai FC as the team secured well fought narrow 2-1 win over the Thai counterparts. Ex-Kerala Blasters FC player Mehtab Hussain and Ex-ATK player Sameehg Doutie found their names on the scoresheet for the ISL side.
They continued their winning streak against Thailand Premier Division side Bangkok United FC. The thrilling match saw the Indian side scoring three goals against two from the Thai side. One goal each from South African Sameehg Doutie, Brazilian Matheus Gonçalves and former Indian international Ashim Biswas sealed the victory for Jamshedpur against the mighty Thai side.
However, their winning streak brought to a halt as they Went down 3-0 to Thai Premier Division side Pattaya United. It was the first defeat for the Jamshedpurians in the preseason tour in Thailand. Sarawut, Picha and Preiawit found the back of the net for the Thai side.
Jamshedpur FC ended their tour on a winning note against BEC Tero Sansana.The match saw all Indian scorers for the Men of Steel. One goal each from Farukh Chaudhary and Ashim Biswas helped them to end Thai tour on a bright note.
Jamshedpur FC to continue their training sessions at the Tata Football Academy facilities before heading to Guwahati to face Northeast United FC on 18th November in their first ever Indian Super League. The JRD Tata Sports complex will host their first home game on December 1st against reigning champions ATK.