Players have to be focused and committed, asserts Kiko Ramirez

Odisha FC is all set to take on its neighbouring team Jamshedpur FC in the next game of the ongoing Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2021-22 tomorrow. Ahead of the crucial clash, Head Coach Kiko Ramirez, Assistant Coach Kino Garcia and Spanish footballer Javi Hernandez addressed the media during the virtual pre-match press conference.

Speaking about his message to the players, the OFC gaffer stated, “They have to be focused and they have to be 100% committed to the team and to the match. We know that we are going to have tough games so it’s important that the players are focused and they are paying attention to everything on the pitch until the last minute.”

Odisha FC won the first two games of the season but then lost to Kerala Blasters before winning 1-0 against NorthEast United FC in the previous encounter last Friday. However, Aridai Cabrera was in some discomfort towards the end of the game against the Highlanders and had to go off the pitch.

“We don’t think that we will have any trouble in seeing Aridai (Cabrera) on the pitch. But, we will have to wait until the last moment like every week. The other thing is that during the training sessions, we recovered almost all the players,” the 51-year-old Spaniard mentioned.

When asked about Jamshedpur FC and their Head Coach Own Coyle, he commented, “He (Owen Coyle) is doing a really good job. It (JFC) is a team that one of the best teams during this season. They have a clear idea of what they have to do in the pitch and they are doing a great job.”

The Juggernauts are pretty happy this season so far as the Club has started off well in Goa and they must be expecting the team to be consistent in the performance and maintain the performance throughout the entire duration of the League.

Speaking about being one of the top teams on the table, Assistant Coach and Head of Football Development Kino Garcia explained, “I think it’s not a challenge, I think it’s something good because when you are winning or you are in a good position on the table, you can keep training and keep improving. And, the players will believe in what we are doing on the pitch. So it is better to grow winning.”

Javi Hernandez, who has already made an impact in the first few games for the Bhubaneswar-based side, is also looking forward to continuing his good run in the tournament. When asked about tomorrow’s game against the Red Miners, he opined, “I think it’s going to be a tough game because like the coach said before they put a lot of intensity during the games. They have started their season really well and it’s going to be a difficult game for sure.”

The Spaniard is into his third consecutive season here in India and he believes that the Hero ISL has improved a lot and the Indian players are also getting better day by day.

“I think it’s (the League) improving every year. Since I came in, till now, I can see better players. I think all the local (Indian) players want to improve and learn. This is good for the League as well,” Javi concluded.