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Chennaiyin's Party goes on
Chennaiyin FC made it to its third Indian Super League (ISL) final in six seasons after getting the better of FC Goa 6-5 on aggregate in the 2019-20 semi-finals.
Chennai
Despite a 2-4 loss at the hands of Goa in the second leg at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa last Saturday, Owen Coyle-managed Chennaiyin sneaked into the summit clash, thanks to its commanding 4-1 home win in the first leg. Following the deciding leg, Coyle, who replaced Englishman John Gregory six matches into the season, assessed the game.
“Goa started brightly and we didn’t. We didn’t pass the ball well enough and the early own goal (by Lucian Goian) gave Goa a huge lift. Mourtada Fall netted a wonderful goal to make it 2-0. Had Goa scored another goal, it would have had the advantage. But, we started to get a grip on the game. However, we could have done better,” said Coyle.
Leading 2-0 at the break, Goa needed only one goal to be in the ascendancy. But it instead conceded two crucial away goals, which once again put Chennaiyin in the driver’s seat. Lallianzuala Chhangte and Nerijus Valskis got on the scoresheet for CFC, whose unbeaten run in the competition came to a halt on the night.
“The message at half-time was simple. We knew that if we started passing the ball better, we would create chances. We did that and scored twice. In fact, I am annoyed that we lost the game. When it was 2-2, we could have won. But we allowed Edu Bedia and Fall to strike the third and fourth goals for Goa. That being said, the objective was to win over two legs and we did it,” added Scotsman Coyle.
The 53-year-old gaffer lauded the team for bouncing back with two early goals in the second half. “When we were 0-2 down, we had to be calm. There was no time for ranting and putting pressure on the players. Stars shine the brightest in darkness. That is what we did (last Saturday). We were staring down darkness being 0-2 down and that is when the stars came out to play. It was wonderful and I am delighted.” Looking forward to the final, scheduled in Goa on March 14, Coyle stated, “I don’t think we were at our best (in the semi-final second leg). But to be the champion, we will have to play our best game (this Saturday). It will be a tough test.”
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