Will be back in another 2 months: Ganesh

Chennai

Plying his trade as a deep-lying midfielder, the local lad was entrusted with the task of stopping opposition attacks, which he did with great conviction. Apart from dictating play in the centre of the pitch, he nicked a few crucial goals during the title-winning edition. 

Just when the local faithful were waiting to see their hero don the Chennaiyin jersey for the fourth season running, Ganesh ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament of his left knee during the ISL 2018-19 pre-season. He is currently undergoing his rehabilitation at the Centre for Sports Science (CSS) at the Sri Ramachandra Medical College.

Speaking about his long absence, he said, “No player knows when he will be down with an injury. I am struggling a bit now, but I am getting better. I have started running and I am personally aiming to get back into action in another two months.”  Ganesh missed the first half of the ongoing ISL and is expected to return to the fold for the Super Cup. John Gregory’s men are currently languishing at the foot of the table, with 5 points from 12 games. On how it’s been to see the team struggle from the sidelines, he added, “It’s tough. I would like to apologise to our coach. My injury would have disrupted his plans. Every team will have its ups and downs. We still have a few games to go in the ISL and then there is the AFC Cup as well. We will look to perform better in those.”  

The midfielder recently penned a long-term contract with the club, keeping him until 2022. “I was yearning to represent a professional club in Chennai and CFC made it come true for me. I am happy and proud at the same time,” stated Ganesh. 

His former employer Chennai City FC has been flourishing in the I-League, sitting pretty at the top. Talking about its performance, he said, “I have played there and it gave me a platform to perform. It is playing good football and this shows that we have a lot of talent in Tamil Nadu.” 

CFC Football C’ship to have 64 teams 

The Boost Chennaiyin FC Football Championship for schools will tentatively begin on January 28 at the MCC School Ground at Chetpet.  The four-week long tournament will feature a total of 64 teams in the Under-13 and Under-15 categories. The top three teams from both age groups will receive access to coaching from CFC support staff and select first team members. CFC Assistant Coach and Technical Director for Youth Development Syed Sabir Pasha inaugurated the tournament in the company of first team midfielder Dhanpal Ganesh, Under-15 player Rahul K Manjula and club Vice President Hiren Mody.  

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