Aizawl FC coach Khalid Jamil admitted that his side would be under pressure to perform in the Federation Cup here after stunning everyone by winning the I-League title.
Speaking at the pre-tournament press conference here on Saturday evening, Khalid said, “A lot of pressure is there, but we have to handle pressure. We have to maintain our performance.”
The Aizawl coach agreed that his team, which did extremely well at the high altitudes of its home ground, would have to adapt to the hot and humid conditions here. “The conditions are the same for every team. But it is difficult, but that is the only option left. We have prepared the same way (that fetched us success in the I-League).”
On meeting Chennai City FC in its opening match, Khalid said, “It is a good team. I have seen their last match (against Mohun Bagan), they gave a good fight. We have lost to them (in I-League). It will not be an easy match. But we will go step by step.”
Mohun Bagan coach Sanjoy Sen pointed out that the schedule was too hectic. “We are playing three matches in five days. Nowhere in the world you play like this. This is not football.”
‘Hungry for success’
However, Sanjoy said his side was prepared to give the best shot and defend its title. East Bengal assistant coach Ranjan Chowdhury said the “disjointed” unit had now got back into groove after two consecutive wins in the I-League. “The boys are hungry for success,” said Chowdhury.
Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca said his team was keen to win the tournament in order to book a slot in the AFC Cup. “We have no options. We have to do well here,” he said.
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