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Jamshedpur FC, the new entrants of ISL 2017, kick off their campaign on November 18 against NorthEast United FC. Jamshedpur will be looking to get off to the perfect start and coach Steve Coppell said that he was impressed by the way ATK played last season, especially in the semifinals and finals.
“Making nine changes in the playing eleven in a semifinal game and winning the game is something which is highly admirable,” said Coppell.
"Having more players from Kerala or ATK isn’t something we had on our minds, but yes when getting our list ready, we had a plan to include as many players as possible, who had the required experience in India and knew what it was like playing in the ISL and had an experience of the different cultures, cities and pitches in India.
Speaking of the game tomorrow, he admitted that it was going to be very tough, as was his first game last season, which coincidentally was also played at the Guwahati the venue.
“A blank piece of paper is sometimes very good but sometimes it's a hindrance,” said Coppell.
The North East United coach Carlos De Deus said that Rowllin Borges, their star midfield man, is still not completely ruled of the season opener against Jamshedpur FC and a final physical test tomorrow will decide if he will play or not.
"We are not going to start with 10 men, so it doesn’t really matter if Rowllin starts or not," said De Deus.
However, he did not mention when Rowllin will be fit, although he did mention that the India International will be one of the first names on the team sheet when he gets fit.
NEUFC captain Robert Lalthamuana did mention that Jamshedpur FC have some really good wingers in the form of Doutie and Bikash Jairu, but he knows both of them very well as he played with them in ATK. He also spent a couple of seasons with Bikash Jairu at East Bengal.
NEUFC have not been able to make it to the semifinals of the tournament inn the first seasons, and it will be interesting to see how this season goes for them. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur have amassed a formidable squad and will be looking to do well under Steve Coppell, who has already shown with Kerala, that he can lead a team into the finals.
