Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur, March 24: Jamshedpur FC U18 head coach Kaizad Ambapardiwalla said his side’s qualification for the final round of the AIFF Elite League reflects the players’ hard work and consistency so far, while stressing that the team still has one more match to play before turning full attention to the next stage.

The Young Men of Steel have already secured their place in the final round after a strong campaign, once again raising expectations around the side after finishing runners-up last season. While the achievement underlines the progress made by the group, Kaizad made it clear that the focus remains on finishing the ongoing phase well and carrying that momentum forward into what promises to be a highly competitive final round.

“Qualifying for the final round is a satisfying achievement for everyone involved because it reflects the hard work the boys have put in every single day,” Kaizad said. “It is never easy to maintain consistency in a long campaign when the schedule is demanding and every match brings a different challenge. The credit goes to the players for staying focused and showing the right attitude throughout.”

Last season’s run to the title clash has given the group useful experience, something Kaizad believes can help the team in the next phase. “Last year’s experience definitely helps,” he said. “Reaching that stage gave the club and the players a better understanding of the level required in the biggest matches. It also gave us motivation. We know what it takes to compete there, but we also know we have to keep improving.”

Kaizad expects the final round to test the squad even more, with stronger opponents and tighter margins. “The biggest challenge will be consistency against top-quality teams,” he said. “At that stage, every side will be organised, ambitious and difficult to play against. For us, the challenge is to stay true to our football, deal well with pressure moments and keep improving from one match to the next.”

He also pointed to the players’ mentality as one of the biggest positives of the campaign so far. “What has pleased me the most is the mentality of the boys,” he said. “They have shown hunger, discipline and a willingness to learn. The results matter, of course, but what stands out is how they have responded in different situations and continued to grow.”

With one more match still left in the current phase, Kaizad wants his players to stay grounded and maintain their standards. “My message to the players is simple: enjoy the opportunity, but remain grounded,” he said. “They have earned this through hard work, and now they must keep pushing themselves. We want to finish this phase properly and then prepare well for the final round.”