Amazed by level of confidence Brdaric has in me: Jockson

CHENNAI: After scoring his maiden goal for Chennaiyin FC in the Durand Cup quarter-final against Mumbai City FC in Kolkata recently, midfielder Jockson Dhas ran up to head coach Thomas Brdaric and gave him a bear hug.

The celebration, a feast for the Chennaiyin faithful’s eyes, was a reflection of the close bond that Jockson and Brdaric share. Having made an ambitious switch to CFC in the summer transfer window – he joined from third division club Madan Maharaj FC – the 27-year-old needed a guide to adapt to the demands of top-level football. And, Jockson found an effective teacher in German tactician Brdaric.

Thanks to the immense faith placed in him, the Kanniyakumari native, set for his Indian Super League debut in the upcoming 2022-23 season, is bubbling with confidence. “Brdaric has been motivating us. Only because of the coaches (Brdaric and his assistants Matko Djarmati and Sabir Pasha) have I improved a lot in the last few months,” Jockson, who made four appearances for Chennaiyin in the Durand Cup, told DT Next.

“Brdaric put his trust in me and brought me on as a substitute against Mumbai City. That is why I was able to score the goal; it was because of the confidence he gave me. He deployed me as a striker in one of the matches. I then played in both the left and right flanks. I am amazed by the level of confidence he has in me,” added Jockson.

“We usually have hard training sessions that help us prepare for the ISL which is ahead. Brdaric is serious when he is on the field. Off it, he is friendly. He would put his arm around my shoulders and speak to me, just like how my best friends would do,” Jockson, a former player of the now defunct Chennai City FC, went on to add.

Jockson said that Brdaric looks at the positive side when players commit errors in training sessions. “He takes time to rectify the mistakes and explains what needs to be done. I made a mistake at practice today. I might make a different mistake tomorrow.

“I keep making mistakes. But, Brdaric tells me that there is nothing wrong in making mistakes and that learning is possible only while making mistakes. He once told me: ‘This is the level you are at. You need to do more.’ He is an experienced coach, so there is a lot to learn from him,” Jockson added. If Brdaric can squeeze the best out of Jockson, the CFC fanatics will witness more beautiful moments on the touchline.