“It will be a fascinating semi-final” – Owen Coyle expects sparks to fly when Chennaiyin take on Goa

Chennai, February 29, 2020: Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa lock horns in the Hero Indian Super League semis first-leg at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. CFC Head Coach Owen Coyle, accompanied by star Indian midfielder Anirudh Thapa were in confident and determined mood when they addressed the media in the pre-match press conference on Friday.

“When I came in on December 6th, we were given a 1 or 2% chance to get in the semi-finals. We have managed that but we don’t want to stop. We want to see that through. To do that, we would have to play at our very best because we are playing against a quality side,” said Coyle, who has led CFC to an eight-match unbeaten run which includes six wins and progress to the last four.

With the first leg being played at home, Chennaiyin will be expected to take the fight to Goa with the visitors also knowing only one style of play – attack. Expecting it to be an attractive game of football, Coyle underlined what his side will have to do to overcome the Goan challenge while respecting their opponents and their playing style.

“If we are at our best, we have shown that we can beat anyone. So, we are looking forward to the game and looking forward to standing toe-to-toe with the team that finished at number one. They finished there for a reason. Consistently over 18 games, they were the best team. I would like to think that in the last 12 matches, we certainly matched them and got closer. And that’s what we are looking forward to,” commented Coyle.

In their previous outing, the last league game against NorthEast United, Coyle named a much-changed team in light of the upcoming semis. And the display he saw in the 2-2 draw would’ve surely pleased him.

“I think it was the first time in Hero ISL history a club started with 10 Indian players. We went down to 10 men and we still showed desire, quality. So, that was great but collectively, everybody knows their role in the team. They give everything they can to try and win games, try to play very attacking football that’s entertaining. People enjoy watching us and we want to make sure that we see it through,” opined Coyle.

CFC lost both the league games to Goa but Coyle is unfazed by that record.

“The two games have no significance on the semi-final. I never lost twice to Goa. I was here for only one game. And in that game, if you look at my defence, three of the four who will play against Goa on Saturday, didn’t start the game. We are a much-changed team since we last played Goa,” he said.

“The other thing we did was that we gifted FC Goa a 3-0 lead. And in the second half we were outstanding. Yes, it will be an entertaining game. I don’t think you will see any of the two teams changing in terms of how they play. We both like to keep the ball and play attack-minded football. At the end of it, the best team will go to the final,” he added.

Commenting on Anirudh Thapa’s influence and importance to the CFC midfield and engine room, Coyle only had good things to say.

“He’s (Thapa) an absolute pleasure to work with every day because he wants to improve, wants to learn, wants to listen. I think we have some wonderful talent in the league, but for me he is the best Indian midfielder in the country. That’s saying something because there are some very wonderful players in the league. He continues to improve and has real desire, real hunger to get better. He is captain material. He has those qualities. Credit to everybody who have worked with him over the years. He is going to turn out to be a fine player for sure,” said Coyle while envisaging a great future for the India international.

A coy Thapa was only focused on the task at hand and helping his team make it to the final and see the possibility of lifting a third ISL title. Having already tasted success in the 2017-18 campaign wherein Thapa scored the all-important away goal in the semis against Goa, the 22-year-old- is raring to go for more.

“This is my first club. I started my professional career with this club. Winning the title in the fourth season was a big achievement for me at that age. But lifting the title, I always cherish that moment. I don’t think my role has changed. I used to play as a number eight then and I am playing the same part now. It’s about lifting the title. There are two clubs who have lifted the trophy twice, and both of them are in the semis. I hope we give our best against Goa and take our opportunities. We need to focus on our game and reach the final,” Thapa said to the media.