Thursday , March 28 2024

Chennaiyin FC lock horns with rivals Kerala Blasters in Owen Coyle’s first home game!

Chennaiyin FC boss Owen Coyle is all set for his first home game as his side take on rivals Kerala Blasters FC in a southern derby in the Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday. In Coyle’s first game in-charge, Chennaiyin FC were held to a 1-1 draw away to Jamshedpur FC on December 9, a controversial late goal for JFC denying his side all three points.

Chennaiyin FC’s home ground Marina Arena will be in a raucous atmosphere when fierce rivals Kerala Blasters visit. Chennaiyin will be aiming to break their hoodoo against Kerala Blasters, having beaten them last in ISL 2015. As for the visitors, they’ll be hoping to bring a seven game winless run to an end. Chennaiyin FC though will be buoyed by the fact that Kerala are also winless in their last 11 away outings.

Both sides will be looking to improve at the back, having kept one clean sheet apiece so far this season after half a dozen matches. Chennaiyin FC though will be upbeat given that they have created numerous chances while playing at home. Despite having drawn two (0-0 vs Mumbai City FC and 2-2 vs Odisha FC), lost one (0-1 vs ATK) and won one (2-1 vs Hyderabad FC) at home so far this season, Chennaiyin FC have always dominated proceedings and created multiple opportunities at the Marina Arena. And the gaffer will be banking on that track record of dominance continuing in the clash against Kerala Blasters.

He called upon his attack-minded players to support Lithuanian striker Nerijus Valskis, who has been among the goals with four in his last three outings. “We need to recognize as a football club that we have not scored enough goals this year. Nerijus (Valskis) has been in form but we need to score more and create more opportunities. He has shown he is an amazing striker and we have other players also who can score goals,” Coyle said at the pre-match press conference on Thursday at the team hotel.

“Our strength will be as a group, we have to bring everyone together, everybody in the football club, from the owners, to the fans, the players and the staff and when we do this history shows that this football club can achieve marvelous things,” he added.

In terms of injuries, both camps were coy about their respective situations. Coyle mentioned that there are one or two injuries in the camp, but they will be assessed prior to the match on Friday. Kerala Blasters too have had a string of injuries so far this season, with many on the sidelines while a few may be expected to make a recovery soon.

Valskis, who was alongside Coyle at the press conference, said, “We will come into the match very serious and focused. Of course, I am always happy when I score goals, and the team is also doing good. It’s good that we did well against Jamshedpur. That performance has given everyone a lot of confidence. For sure, we will try to win the next game.”

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