‘To have 4 TN players in ISL final a big achievement’

Edwin Sydney Vanspaul and Dhanpal Ganesh (both CFC) could come up against familiar faces Michael Soosairaj and Regin Michael, the brothers who represent ATK, on the night of the final. Of the quartet, only defensive midfielder Ganesh has been largely confined to the bench in the lead-up to the summit clash.

Chennaiyin FC assistant coach Syed Sabir Pasha, who knows each of the lads inside out, remarked the top-flight final would be a great advertisement for Tamil Nadu football. “What more can we ask for? Taking into account the number of Indians on the pitch, having three or four players from the same state [in an ISL decider] is a big achievement,” Tamil Nadu-based Pasha told DT Next.   

“A few years ago, a lot of people had doubts about [our] footballers making it big. With the right exposure, the boys can definitely get to the highest level and these four players have proved it. All those who said there is lack of talent in Tamil Nadu are now staying quiet,’’ added Pasha.

As our conversation shifted its focus to ISL 6 finalist Chennaiyin, the former India international was quick to heap praise on the club’s manager Owen Coyle, who has masterminded a monumental turnaround. CFC was in a hopeless position prior to his arrival but is now a stone’s throw away from clinching its third ISL crown.    

“Coyle arrived at the right time and got the whole act together. With all the experience, he has made Chennaiyin a tightly-knit group and brought the best out of the players. We had a lot of incomers in the squad for the current season. So, it took some time for the boys to gel well. Once we had that unity, the results started coming our way,” explained Pasha, one of Coyle’s three deputies.  

“Football is not just about what happens on the field. The way you manage the players off it also plays a key role. Guys are bound to have different mindsets and attitudes. Right from day one, Coyle has shown us what managers exactly should do.”

Indian Super League (ISL) organiser Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) on Thursday decided Saturday’s final between Chennaiyin FC and ATK would be played behind closed doors at the Fatorda Stadium in Goa. Keeping in mind the health and safety of players, staff and fans, FSDL has taken a preventive measure – avoiding mass gathering in public places – against Coronavirus.