PRE-MATCH QUIPS- Kashyap: we will win; Khalid: No special preparation against Mumbai

IN THE PRE-MATCH conference for the match between Mumbai FC and Aizawl FC.

Khalid was asked about his opponents who he has coached the team for over 6 years. He said,

"They have been playing well. They played without foreigner and have played good under Santosh Kashyap"

On injuries, Jamil said small injuries to Kamo and another player are there but they should be fine.

Asked about the preparation for this game said,

"We are preparing for this game like any other game and no special preparation. We have to be on top of the game and cannot take this lightly at at all"

Alfred Jaryan was also at the press conference with Jamil. He said about the season and the results so far.

"It is long season and we have just started.Yes we have had a bit of luck. But we are playing as a team very well and we will give our full support to each other in the team and continue to play well"

Asked about what is the difference in the two campaigns of Mumbai FC when he was here and now at Aizawl.

"Its the same and I was happy when I was at Mumbai FC and even now I am happy"

Answering a question. Jamil said the average age of his team is between 22 and 25.

On the unbeaten record of Aizawl, Jamil said,

"We are playing well and need to keep this up. We are at Cooperage and must fight from the first minute to the last"

Asked if he has planned for a special celebration in case of a win said,

"It depends on the situation. If I remember I will do it"

Steven Dias was asked what he thought about the young side of Aizawl that has been fielded in the games so far. The Mumbai FC captain countered the question by saying that Mumbai FC too have pretty young squad and the team is ready for the battle.

Kashyap on how he plans to comeback into the game after a thumping loss accepted that they lost to a strong team.

"The result was bad as the team as an all round balanced team and good set of Indian and Foreign players and with a foreign coach. In the first half we tried to attack but could not break even with our best efforts. We could have done better had we not conceded the goal just before the half time.Players could not follow my plan. Excellent environment for good football with good fan base in an away game. We still had a great start to the campaign with the little time we had. We will see when they come back here."

About Aizawl he said,

"The team is good run, unbeaten so far. They are a team that gives a good fight. But it will be an advantage for us as it is out home. We have great respect for them. It is our home game, so we must win and we will win"

Asked to share some characteristics about Khalid Jamil as a Coach having faced him earlier. Kashyap shared,

"He and his team are great fighters. A great motivator. He knows how to upset teams with many things as you know. He tries all tricks and that's his style not mine as I don't believe in all these things. We will plan according to that and try to get a positive result"

As the current team has played for a long time under Khalid, Kashayap was asked if he found it difficult to impose his thoughts on the team said,

"It has been very very difficult and along with the management also has a mindset that needed a change. But more or less all things have been changed to my liking all thanks to the management and also I am confident of my abilities now most things are in place. Khalid fulfilled the objective of keeping the team in the I-League when he was here and did well. But my objectives were set differently as the team had a vision to finish in the top three"

"About the facilities, we are about have to travel a bit but the set-up is very good and along with the technical system like GPS and accommodation of players. I have kept a compact squad and keep them fit so taking all injury prevention measures."

He talked about the changes that he has introduced the changes after he has come in to the team. Kashyap said,

"Earlier there were only three officials who were doing the job. Now there is a goalkeeping Coach, a Physio, analyst, assistant Coach. Now we are 8 officials who travel along with the team. This was not possible earlier as there was a budget concern. If we are to achieve the target we must do everything to get there. That is the reason I was brought here. We want to achieve top 3 with comfortable and not wait till the last game for that and finish second to last of mid-table"

Talking about mindset, He gave an example about the game against DSK, the team were so much into preparation that had dinner almost close to midnight.

Asked about the strategy of attacking football backfired for in the last game said,

"I had to change my strategy according to the situation else we could have conceded more goals"

Kim Kima is injured and will be out for two-three weeks.

Steven shared what new they have learnt under the new coach saying,

"The GPS technology in practice and the video analysis was never seen by by before in my life. Getting to learn a lot of new things even seeing myself making the smallest of mistakes"

"We have signed two foreigners Santana the attacking midfielder and Denzil, a world cup player and who was with him at Royal Wahingdoh."