Our experience of playing knockout games should be helpful: Bengaluru FC’s Simon Grayson

Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson feels their experience of playing knockout matches should be helpful before they take on Jamshedpur FC in the semifinal of the ongoing Hero Super Cup at the EMS Stadium in Kozhikode, Kerala on Friday.

The Blues played a 1-1 draw against Sreenidi Deccan and then registered a 2-0 win against RoundGlass Punjab. In their last group stage match, they shared the spoils with Kerala Blasters FC with a 1-1 draw.

Earlier, Simon Grayson’s team qualified for the Hero ISL finals but could not cross the final hurdle against ATK Mohun Bagan. In fact, Bengaluru FC also registered eight successive wins on the bounce.

“I think it’s a welcome break for us and the other teams as well. It helped us to recharge our batteries a little bit, returning to Bengaluru and getting a few training sessions done as well. We’re ready to go again and look forward to the game on Friday,” Grayson said in the pre-match press conference.

On the other hand, Jamshedpur FC struggled to get going in the ISL but they have been able to hit the straps in the ongoing Super Cup. The Red Miners defeated FC Goa by 5-3, then registered a 3-0 win against ISL champions ATK Mohun Bagan and also won against Gokulam Kerala by 3-2.

Speaking on the form of the opponent Grayson said: ”They had a very difficult start to the season. But in the second half of the season, they were very hard to play against and scored a lot of goals. Especially in this tournament, they’ve had some fantastic results. So, we know we’re in for a real tough game.”

Back in January, Bengaluru FC won against Jamshedpur FC by 3-0 in the ISL. Grayson recalled that match and feels they had to defend well against the opposition.

“Even when we won against them, in Jamshedpur, in the league game, we had to defend really well and dealt with lots of crosses, shots and attacks. So, we are under no illusions that it’s an easy game,” he added.

The Englishman added that all the players are well aware of their respective roles and they will be looking to prove their mettle.

“Everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. When you play big games, you know that you have to play with your head as well as your heart. We’ve got the experience of doing that and hopefully, that will prove to be positive when we come to the final whistle on Friday night,” Grayson stated.