"A terrific team performance with outstanding goals" – Owen Coyle lauds resounding derby win

Chennai, December 21, 2019: Chennaiyin FC Head Coach Owen Coyle was in a cheerful yet exhausted mood when he spoke to the media following his side’s convincing 3-1 win over Kerala Blasters FC in the Hero Indian Super League here on Friday. The former Bolton Wanderers manager marked his first home game as CFC boss with a first victory, having drawn his opening game 1-1 against Jamshedpur FC earlier.

Looking back at a fiercely contested southern derby with numerous talking points, Coyle said, “We felt we can cause problems with our firepower. That we could move the ball quickly and utilize the space in behind them. Andre (Schembri), Nerijus (Valskis) and Rafa (Rafael Crivellaro) are all attacking players and they work very well together. Everything that we worked on in the training session came to fruition.”

“I think there are a few terrific teams in the league and there is not a lot separating everyone, so we have to make sure we are on the right side of those margins. We did that today in some style. It was a terrific team performance and our goals were outstanding,” Coyle added.

The match had many talking points, with all four goals scored in the first half. The most controversial moment was the referee overturning CFC’s second goal following protests from the KBFC players and technical area. Having allowed Chennaiyin to take a quick free kick that resulted in the goal, the referee came under pressure and reversed the initial decision resulting in the free kick, rendering the goal invalid.

“Frustrating part is that we had to win the game three times with some bizarre things going on. It was incredible. The goal was scored (by Valskis) and I have to say from my understanding of the laws of the game, whether rightly or wrongly, the free kick was for awarded to us (Chennaiyin). When the referee restarts play, the action has started and you cannot then change the play and bring it back unless there is a new rule by FIFA that I don’t know.”

“We can laugh now because we won 3-1 but it happened to us in Jamshedpur too (when the ball struck Farukh’s hand and JFC scored). Whether that is accidental or not, it’s a free kick which wasn’t given and it robbed us of two points. I don’t want to get lost in all this but our performance was outstanding and that is what we need to take away from the match.”

The referee also dished out a late second booking for Eli Sabia, and Coyle was quick to point out that the referee was contentious on cautioning the Brazilian defender on both counts.

“I thought that the first yellow card he (Eli) had chested the ball. I didn’t see a yellow card infringement. And then in the 94th minute I just thought the referees should have a better understanding of the game. If he (Eli) is standing over the ball, go back and have a word with him, instead of sending him off. What happens is every decision like that brings attention to the referees and it brings attention to the league. Not good attention but negative attention.”

The win sees Coyle bag four points out of six from his two games at the helm so far. And he believes there is enough evidence of his team making a charge towards the top half of the table.

“We believe that we have been written off from getting a spot in the playoffs, but we are always trying to give ourselves a fighting.”

“We obviously have our way and style of play that we try to implement each day on the training field. I have to say about the players, everything that I’ve asked from them they have done it with enthusiasm and vigor and they have got the rewards.”

The gaffer was asked about the performances of Man of the Match Lallianzuala Chhangte and right-back Edwin Vanspaul, both putting in tireless performances from a taxing evening in Chennai. And he had only words of praise for the duo, saying, “I have to say Chhangte himself deserves all the credit, because he’s the one who is working very hard. He was outstanding and I am excited because if he keeps it up then we become a better team. He’s a fantastic asset to the national team as well.”

“Edwin too was outstanding. There is a lot asked from him because of the position he is playing in – both physically and mentally. I am pleased that he is very popular in the locker room with the players, he gives so much and wears his heart on his sleeve.”

Lastly, the new Chennaiyin gaffer had a special mention for the fans from both sides, who were in full voice the entire game. However he reiterated on the importance of getting decisions right, for the league to improve as a whole.

“The fans were outstanding tonight, couldn’t have asked them for more. I thought that the Kerala fans made a great spectacle. I’ve got to say that this is a great advert for the Indian Super League.”

“but we have to get the decisions right. The little fouls nobody cares, but all those big goal changing decisions we have to get it right if you want to improve the league, otherwise people look at that tonight and they think wow, what’s going on?” Coyle concluded.