East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat confident of making history against Jamshedpur FC

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East Bengal coach Carles Cuadrat expects to repeat the Kalinga Super Cup performance against Jamshedpur FC in the upcoming ISL match on Thursday (February 22).

The Red and Gold brigade take on the Men of Steel at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur in a crucial league match, and ahead of that, their coach hopes to clear the upcoming hurdle and create history that the club hasn't been able to do during their ISL tenure so far.

"Jamshedpur FC have high intensity. As far as we are concerned, I am expecting a tough match. It is a challenge and we know that. We both are fighting for playoffs. We were the last team to beat them [Kalinga Super Cup Semifinals], and we will try to repeat the same," Cuadrat said in the pre-match press conference on Wednesday (February 21).

When asked about the hole in midfield due to Saul Crespo's absence, Cudarat quickly dismissed the notion and said he was happy with the way they are playing. East Bengal managed just one win in their last four ISL matches, but the East Bengal coach is happy with the performance.

East Bengal have never won consecutive ISL matches in their history, and the coach says the players are focused on breaking the hoodoo in their next match. The Red and Gold Brigade had a narrow victory over bottom-placed Hyderabad FC in the last match, and Cuadrat is confident of repeating the same.

"We know the importance of the victory [against JFC in the next match]. East Bengal have never won two matches in a row in the ISL history, and it is a challenge. I see the players are focused and they know what to do. We will fight for the victory," a determined Cuadrat added.

Their opponents Jamshedpur have had a spring in their feet recently. After registering just one victory in the first half of the season, they have suddenly registered two victories in the last four ISL matches, and are also unbeaten in the second half of this ISL season. And Cuadrat believes coach Khalid Jamil has done wonders and he has the utmost respect for it.

"Football is a game of dynamics. You get a result and it gives you hope and then it continues. Jamshedpur had a superb second half against Mumbai and I know how dangerous they are. I have respect for the coach [Khalid Jamil] and expect to have a close game," Cuadrat added.

Cuadrat also spoke about youngster Sayan Banerjee who has impressed this season. Sayan emerged during the Kalinga Super Cup and has played in the ISL after that as well. The Spaniard says he is very impressed with the player but also admitted the importance of managing success and failure as a professional player.

The Kolkata giants have made a few tweaks in the squad as three foreigners have joined them - namely Victor Vazquez, Felicio Brown Forbes and most recently, Serbian defender Aleksandar Pantic.

The 31-year-old arrived in India a few days earlier but the East Bengal manager confirmed that Pantic is available for selection on Thursday.