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Chennaiyin hopes to end with win against Mumbai
Having already qualified for the playoffs, Chennaiyin FC would look to enter the final phase of the tournament on a winning note when it meets Mumbai City FC in an Indian Super League match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday.
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Chennai
CFC is currently placed third in the league standings with 29 points from its 17 games while the visitor is out of contention for a playoff berth, lingering at the seventh spot with 23 points.
The return of central defender Mailson Alves will bolster the defensive unit, enticing head coach John Gregory to shift to the tried and tested quartet of Spaniard Inigo Calderon, skipper Henrique Sereno, Alves and Jerry Lalrinzuala.
Midfielders Rene Mihelic and Jaime Gavilan have been sparingly used thus far as the British tactician has deployed three overseas members in the back line in most of the games.
With the encounter being a dead rubber, it presents the side an opportunity to field at least one of them in the starting line-up. Dutchman Gregory Nelson has showed flashes of brilliance with bursts in the left flank, managing to probe into the opposition’s 18-yard-box. Jeje Lalpekhlua, who is the top Indian goal scorer across the four editions of the ISL, has not had the best of seasons, getting onto score sheet only seven times in his 17 appearances. He will have to buckle up soon if CFC is keen to pose some menace during the play-off matches.
When the home side last played at the ‘Marina Arena’ against Jamshedpur FC, it managed to peg back in the dying moments courtesy an immaculately placed header from super sub Mohammed Rafi. But Gregory would hope to avoid a repeat by marshalling his troops to put up a consistent show.
On the other hand, MCFC would look to leapfrog to the sixth position with a victory, displacing Sandesh Jhingan-led Kerala Blasters. Former Chennaiyin forward Balwant Singh and Everton Santos top the charts for the away side with six goals each.
Zakeer Mudampara and Mehraj Wadoo will also turn out in their away colours at their former home.
CFC, amazing bunch of players: Coach Gregory
Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory heaped praise on all his players for showing great character across the 17 games thus far in the fourth edition of the Indian Super League. “Whatever we have had in front of us, we have managed to overcome it. The attitude of the boys throughout the season has been first class. I have got such an amazing group of professional players. I have never had a group like this in the past. It’s an absolute pleasure to be a part of this bunch,” said Gregory during the prematch press conference ahead of the home game against Mumbai City FC.
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