Will Chennaiyin Turn Up The Owen’s Heat?

At the GMC Stadium in Goa, Csaba Laszlo-coached Chennaiyin will come up against a familiar face in Owen Coyle, who shifted his allegiance during the 2020 summer transfer window. Ex-CFC boss Coyle, the mastermind behind a fantastic turnaround in ISL 2019-20, hasn’t lived up to his billing this term at Jamshedpur.

JFC sits seventh on the table with 18 points from 16 fixtures, only a spot and point above struggling Chennaiyin. Lying well outside the qualification places with only four games left in the league stage, both teams will go all out for the three points on offer.

“We won’t give up on our target of making it to the play-offs. We hope to qualify for the Finals. There is a possibility and we have to fight for it. My focus right now is only on the Jamshedpur game, which will be important for us as well as our opponent,” CFC head coach Laszlo said at the customary pre-match press conference.

The Chennaiyin attackers have been bereft of confidence, having found the back of the net only 11 times so far – the lowest in ISL 2020-21. So, Romanian-Hungarian Laszlo called for quality finishing in front of goal as CFC seeks to put a full stop to a winless run, which is currently spanning five games.

“We have created the most chances in the league, but also missed the most. I am talking to my players about being clinical. All the players should be prepared for a heavy and difficult game. I hope we can score goals,” added the 56-year-old.

Chennaiyin gaffer Laszlo is also aware of the threats that Jamshedpur possesses in the final third. “JFC has decent players and a very strong defence led by centre-back Peter Hartley. It is a team that has scored a lot of goals from set-pieces. Striker Nerijus Valskis knows where the goal is and is always dangerous. We have to stay concentrated throughout the game.” The CFC head coach also revealed that midfielder Anirudh Thapa, who struck the opening goal in the reverse fixture, is available for selection. The 23-year-old played only the first half during Chennaiyin’s goalless draw against Bengaluru FC (BFC) last Friday.

“Thapa is okay. He has been training with the team. He felt a little bit tired in the previous game and that is why we had to replace him. Jerry Lalrinzuala is suspended for accumulating four yellow cards. He will be replaced by Lalchhuanmawia ‘Chhuantea’ Fanai at left-back,” Laszlo, whose boys came up trumps 2-1 in the first meeting between the two sides, said.