Spanish flair behind JFC’s success

Spanish attacking duo of Javi Siverio and Javi Hernandez contribute 16 goals and three assists – making up nearly 46% of the total strikes scored for Jamshedpur FC

HYDERABAD: The Spanish flair behind Jamshedpur FC’s gritty display in the ISL which leads to the business-end this season has been too obvious.

Leading the charge on that front have been their Spanish attacking duo of Javi Siverio and Javi Hernandez, who combined and contributed to a total of 16 goals and three assists – making up nearly 46% of the total strikes scored by the side.

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While Hernandez, with nine goals and three assists, has been an inspired signing in the summer from Bengaluru FC, Siverio had joined the club midway through 2023-24 and extended his deal prior to the current campaign.

Both of their impacts have been overwhelmingly positive, with Siverio’s sides now being unbeaten in 19 ISL games in which he has scored (W14 D5), the highest such tally for any player.

Siverio credited head coach Khalid Jamil for a major chunk of his success at Jamshedpur FC.

“From day one, coach (Khalid Jamil) has valued me and given me confidence. I think he knows me as a player and that’s why I have found my best football in Jamshedpur FC again.

The coach knew me, and we were attacking and playing to win, which is why a player like me can score goals,” Siverio said.

Creating 24 goal-scoring chances and making 110 touches inside the opposition’s box, he has been a lively presence in the final third, playing the perfect foil to Hernandez’s creative touch, with the ex-Bengaluru FC attacking midfielder making 29 key passes and taking 26 shots on target, effectively converting 34% of them into goals.

“I do instruct my players in some areas, especially when they are required to do man-to-man marking. Otherwise, I encourage them to play with freedom, display their talents. It should not be like my players are robots and play exactly like I ask them to do. I like to give them freedom, especially to foreigners, who need to use their experience. Young Indian players cannot be overloaded with information, and senior players are to be pushed to share their know-how whenever required,” Jamil said.

With both Siverio and Hernandez scoring once each in the pening game, Jamil will bank heavily on their craft, experience, and goal-scoring knack to guide his team into the finals.