In an exclusive interview, Kaizad Ambapardiwalla explains the importance of qualification, what it means to youth development and about National Leg preparations.

How does it feel to guide Jamshedpur FC Reserves to their first-ever RFDL National Leg qualification, and what does this achievement mean for the club's youth development?

It’s an incredible moment for the team and a proud achievement for Jamshedpur FC as a club. Qualifying for the RFDL National Leg for the first time in our history is a testament to the hard work these boys have put in. This competition is designed to give young players exposure at a high level, and our qualification proves that the club’s focus on youth development is paying off. Our squad is one of the youngest in the tournament, yet we’ve shown that we can compete with and even outperform teams with more experienced players. This milestone will inspire future batches of academy players and strengthen our youth system.

The team showed great resilience, especially after conceding first against Aizawl FC. What do you think was the key factor behind the comeback and eventual victory?

The most important thing was the belief and character of the players. Even after going a goal down, they never lost their composure or confidence. We had created so many chances in the first half, and I told the boys at halftime to stay patient and keep playing their game. The response after conceding was fantastic—the equalizer came through Remson, and from there, we continued to press hard. In the final minutes, we showed the hunger and determination needed in such a high-stakes game, and Bivan’s winner was the perfect reward for their fighting spirit.

Throughout the Zonal Round, Jamshedpur FC has played with a significantly younger squad compared to other teams. How do you assess their performance, and how has this experience helped their development?

I’m extremely proud of how our young squad has performed. While most teams fielded players up to the age of 21, we had a squad primarily made up of U-17 and U-19 players. Competing at this level against physically stronger and more experienced opponents has been a valuable learning experience for them. They have grown tremendously over the course of the tournament—not just technically, but also in terms of mental toughness, decision-making, and game management. This exposure will prepare them well for future challenges, whether at the senior level or in further youth competitions.

With the National Leg set to begin in Mumbai next month, how will the team prepare for the next stage, and what areas do you think need improvement?

Now that we’ve secured qualification, our focus shifts to the National Leg, where the competition will be even tougher. We’ll go back, analyze our performances, and work on areas that need improvement. One of the key areas we need to sharpen is finishing—while we have created plenty of chances, we need to be more clinical in front of goal. Defensively, we’ve been solid for the most part, but small lapses have cost us, so we will work on maintaining concentration throughout 90 minutes. Most importantly, we will continue to build on the attacking style of football that has brought us success.

Bivan Jyoti Laskar and Lawmsangzuala have been standout performers with six goals each. How important have they been to the team's success, and which other players have impressed you the most during the tournament?

Bivan and Zuala have been exceptional, and their contributions have been vital in getting us to this stage. Bivan has great movement, composure in front of goal, and a knack for being in the right place at the right time. Zuala, on the other hand, brings creativity, skill, and pressing intensity that constantly troubles defenders. But beyond them, the entire squad deserves credit. Remson has been outstanding with his energy and assists, Amzard has shown his versatility, and players like Rohan, Marjit, and Sital have stepped up in crucial moments. Our defense, despite being young, has handled pressure well. It has been a true team effort, and I’m confident they will rise to the challenge in Mumbai.