Fans back home team to the hilt

An ardent Chennai fan Jeni Sha said all is not over with a loss. “It is heart-breaking to see our team lose. We had a very good chance to win. The goal in the final minutes of the match against FC Goa shattered our hearts but that’s football, we win some we lose some. I am sure that we will bounce back strong next season,” she added. The fans concurred with head coach Marco Materazzi’s feelings of losing games in the dying minutes. 

“It’s disappointing to see our guys lose a match in which we had the lead. We didn’t hold our nerve. There is a lack of leadership at the crucial moments of the game,” said Neeraj Bharadwaj. The fans of Chennaiyin FC were unanimous in saying that they want to see Frenchamn Bernard Mendy and Italian head coach Marco Materazzi back in the side. 

“We want all of them to come back next season and the team should stay the same. The one change or improvement we want to see in our side is that we must have an Indian centre back, a proper spine. Our Indian core also should be strengthened. Marco has done a good job this season. He is really animated on the touch line and that really pushes the players and us to cheer more for the team,” Neeraj added. 

The fans said that the Indian players have done a good job this season and they have improved in their fitness and their game over the seasons of ISL. They seemed to be particularly impressed with Jerry Lalrinzuala and felt that he can be named the Chennaiyin FC player of the season.