Pasha blames Chennai’s first half display for Delhi defeat

Goals from Richard Gadze and Florent Malouda gave the Dynamos a 2-0 lead before a Bernard Mendy strike halved the deficit heading into the break. However, two more goals from Kean Lewis and Malouda in the second period saw the Lions complete the double over the defending champions this season. 

Chennaiyin assistant coach Syed Sabir Pasha admitted that their first-half showing left the champions with too much to do in the second period. “You can see the first goal we gave away was a very silly goal. At the start, we wanted to see that we finish the first half without conceding any goals. But unfortunately, we conceded some silly goals and that set the tone for the game. We had to go all out in the second half as there was no other option. 

Unfortunately, that didn’t work,” Pasha said. Chennai have now conceded more than their 11 goals overall so far. When asked if his side’s defensive organisation was an area of concern, Pasha said: “Sometimes tactics don’t work, when individual errors happen. Tactically, we were right. Like in the first few minutes, we were on the dot, able to track players. I think we were prepared adequately.”

Eugeneson Lyngdon scored in the 89th minute as FC Pune City beat Mumabi City FC in their Indian Super League match on November 10. The win sent Pune to the fourth position in the points table.