“As an attacking force, we’re on top of our game” – Owen Coyle after 6-3 demolition of Kerala Blasters

Kochi, February 1, 2020: Chennaiyin FC carried out a 6-3 demolition job on Kerala Blasters FC in the Hero Indian Super League on Saturday night courtesy doubles from Rafael Crivellaro, Nerijus Valskis and Lallianzuala Chhangte as Bartholomew Ogbeche’s hat-trick went in vain for the hosts.

Speaking to the media in his post-match press conference, CFC Head Coach Owen Coyle praised his side’s attacking display and not letting up on their objective of winning at all costs.

“We showed our quality, showed our character. We’ve shown that as an attacking force we’re on top of our game. We can penetrate any defence, score against any team in this league,” Coyle remarked.

“First time in ISL history a team has scored six goals away from home. We continue to break little records like that but it counts for nothing if we don’t get to where we want to be, which is that 4th place,” he stated about his team’s objective of making the play-offs.

Leading 3-0 at the break, CFC did allow KBFC a way back with the score at 4-3 at one point in the second half. However late goals from Chhangte and Valskis gave the visitors the required cushion to see the game out.

“We always said we were coming here to win, to ride the momentum we have without any complacency. But I think there was a little bit of complacency in the second half when we were 3-0 up.”

“We have to give credit to Kerala with two wonderful strikers, Messi Bouli and Ogbeche. They can play for anybody in the league,” he praised the opposition.

Questioned about the mistakes Kerala made in the game, Coyle staunchly believes it was his team’s approach that forced the errors from the hosts.

“I think Kerala made mistakes because we put them under pressure. When the ball went to an area where there was a trigger, we immediately would go and press. And then we forced those mistakes. We scored 6 goals tonight but we could’ve had 7, 8 or 9 and even a couple of penalties maybe.”

Coyle was questioned about his thoughts when Kerala mounted their mini-fightback. He responded by saying, “As an experienced coach, you have to remain calm in those situations and look at the big picture. How we can win the game. Our strength is as an attacking force, so we didn’t want to be too negative. My message was to keep doing what we were doing.”

Asked about the remarkable turnaround from when he took over with CFC in 9th place, Coyle said, “We are the team that’s been playing under pressure. Coming in sitting 9th with 4 goals scored from 6 games to now in 5th with 22 goals from 8 games we’re now showing the quality we have offensively.”

“Coming in, we’ve wanted to put in a system that plays to the strengths we have as a squad. And we’re showing that consistently. We have hard workers, we have spirit, we have quality. We’re building momentum, obviously a big game next at home to Bengaluru FC,” Coyle commented while looking ahead to the next big challenge against BFC on Sunday February 9.

Another pleasing aspect has been Chennaiyin’s style of play under Coyle, which is a more attack-minded approach that is attractive for fans and neutrals alike.

“Anybody watching Chennaiyin will enjoy the football. I’ve always prided myself in my teams playing attacking football. You want to win games but also in a manner where the fans enjoy the product. The feedback we have from the fans, they’re really enjoying watching this Chennaiyin team playing at the moment,” Coyle revealed.

To sum up, Coyle said this before signing off, “Offensively I’m very happy but defensively we can’t rest on our laurels. Everyone has to work defensively, right from Valskis to all the way through. It is something we can strive to get better at. We are not the finished product, we are a work in progress but we’re getting better.”Kochi, February 1, 2020: Chennaiyin FC carried out a 6-3 demolition job on Kerala Blasters FC in the Hero Indian Super League on Saturday night courtesy doubles from Rafael Crivellaro, Nerijus Valskis and Lallianzuala Chhangte as Bartholomew Ogbeche’s hat-trick went in vain for the hosts.

Speaking to the media in his post-match press conference, CFC Head Coach Owen Coyle praised his side’s attacking display and not letting up on their objective of winning at all costs.

“We showed our quality, showed our character. We’ve shown that as an attacking force we’re on top of our game. We can penetrate any defence, score against any team in this league,” Coyle remarked.

“First time in ISL history a team has scored six goals away from home. We continue to break little records like that but it counts for nothing if we don’t get to where we want to be, which is that 4th place,” he stated about his team’s objective of making the play-offs.

Leading 3-0 at the break, CFC did allow KBFC a way back with the score at 4-3 at one point in the second half. However late goals from Chhangte and Valskis gave the visitors the required cushion to see the game out.

“We always said we were coming here to win, to ride the momentum we have without any complacency. But I think there was a little bit of complacency in the second half when we were 3-0 up.”

“We have to give credit to Kerala with two wonderful strikers, Messi Bouli and Ogbeche. They can play for anybody in the league,” he praised the opposition.

Questioned about the mistakes Kerala made in the game, Coyle staunchly believes it was his team’s approach that forced the errors from the hosts.

“I think Kerala made mistakes because we put them under pressure. When the ball went to an area where there was a trigger, we immediately would go and press. And then we forced those mistakes. We scored 6 goals tonight but we could’ve had 7, 8 or 9 and even a couple of penalties maybe.”

Coyle was questioned about his thoughts when Kerala mounted their mini-fightback. He responded by saying, “As an experienced coach, you have to remain calm in those situations and look at the big picture. How we can win the game. Our strength is as an attacking force, so we didn’t want to be too negative. My message was to keep doing what we were doing.”

Asked about the remarkable turnaround from when he took over with CFC in 9th place, Coyle said, “We are the team that’s been playing under pressure. Coming in sitting 9th with 4 goals scored from 6 games to now in 5th with 22 goals from 8 games we’re now showing the quality we have offensively.”

“Coming in, we’ve wanted to put in a system that plays to the strengths we have as a squad. And we’re showing that consistently. We have hard workers, we have spirit, we have quality. We’re building momentum, obviously a big game next at home to Bengaluru FC,” Coyle commented while looking ahead to the next big challenge against BFC on Sunday February 9.

Another pleasing aspect has been Chennaiyin’s style of play under Coyle, which is a more attack-minded approach that is attractive for fans and neutrals alike.

“Anybody watching Chennaiyin will enjoy the football. I’ve always prided myself in my teams playing attacking football. You want to win games but also in a manner where the fans enjoy the product. The feedback we have from the fans, they’re really enjoying watching this Chennaiyin team playing at the moment,” Coyle revealed.

To sum up, Coyle said this before signing off, “Offensively I’m very happy but defensively we can’t rest on our laurels. Everyone has to work defensively, right from Valskis to all the way through. It is something we can strive to get better at. We are not the finished product, we are a work in progress but we’re getting better.”