With the Indian Super League (ISL) playoff race heating up, East Bengal's fight for the top 6 is gaining momentum as they prepare to face Jamshedpur FC on December 21 at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata. In a pre-match interview, head coach Oscar Bruzon highlighted Jamshedpur FC’s strengths and candidly called them favorites for this clash.
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| Credit - Indian Super League |
Oscar Bruzon Interview: East Bengal’s Playoff Hopes
Ahead of the crucial tie, Bruzon addressed East Bengal’s chances of breaking into the top 6 and their current form. Reflecting on the recent comeback victory over Punjab FC, where East Bengal overturned a 2-0 deficit to win 4-2, he sounded optimistic yet realistic.
“Realistically, tomorrow we have a chance to win the game,” Bruzon stated. “If we do that, the distance will be very short, and then we go to Hyderabad, probably finishing the year with more than we expected.”
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on their goal. “We need to keep it as a dream but as an achievable dream. From my first day here, I’ve insisted that East Bengal is worth and deserves more. What is realistic is to challenge for titles, and to do so, we must be in the top six.”
East Bengal vs. Jamshedpur: A Challenging Encounter
Oscar Bruzon acknowledged Jamshedpur’s position in the table and praised their coach Khalid Jamil. “They are coming from a privileged position on the table. We need to consider them the favorites for tomorrow’s game,” Bruzon said. However, he added that playing at home gives East Bengal a significant edge.
“If we can replicate what we’ve done in the last two days, the players are smart enough to adjust and understand what we must do to defeat Jamshedpur. The game is going to be open. The forces are there, and the 11 players on the pitch will show who is ready to get three points,” he remarked.
East Bengal’s Key Challenge in the Fight for Top 6
Currently trailing the sixth spot in the ISL standings, East Bengal needs a win against Jamshedpur to reduce the gap to five points. While they’ve struggled against Jamshedpur historically, winning only one of their last four encounters, the Red & Gold Brigade’s recent form offers hope.
Jamshedpur, led by Khalid Jamil, has been a consistent force in the league, making this a must-watch fixture for fans and a critical test for East Bengal in their playoff pursuit.
Oscar Bruzon’s Confidence in His Squad
Despite Jamshedpur’s favored status, Bruzon exuded confidence in his squad’s adaptability and hunger to win. Speaking about the team’s mindset, he said: “I think our opponents not only watch our second half [against Punjab FC] but also the good span of results we’ve had in the last weeks.”
Bruzon avoided framing East Bengal as underdogs and instead urged his players to focus on their strengths, saying, “Coaches like Khalid Jamil will try to grow from what we are doing, and we’ll do the same to neutralize their strong points.”
Can East Bengal Keep Their Playoff Dream Alive?
East Bengal’s fight for top 6 continues with a crucial showdown against Jamshedpur FC. While Bruzon considers Jamshedpur the favorites, his belief in his team’s ability to rise to the occasion remains unwavering.
If East Bengal can replicate their second-half heroics from the Punjab FC match and leverage the home advantage, they stand a strong chance of keeping their playoff dreams alive.
Fans at the Salt Lake Stadium are set for a thrilling contest on December 21, with East Bengal’s quest for a top-6 finish hanging in the balance.
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