“Must continue to play high-intensity and top quality football” – Head Coach Owen Coyle ahead of crunch Jamshedpur FC clash

Chennai, January 23, 2020: Chennaiyin FC welcome Jamshedpur FC to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday in the Hero Indian Super League, looking to leapfrog their opponents and move to sixth spot with a third consecutive victory. 

Head Coach Owen Coyle addressed the media alongside goalkeeper Vishal Kaith, stressing on the importance of focusing on their own gameplan against a rejuvenated opponent.

“It is about our own agenda, our own objectives. And that is to win games. We certainly gave ourselves a lot to do with the slow start to the season. But I’d like to believe that now we are playing well. We have given ourselves a chance to climb up the table.”

A win would see CFC make it three on the bounce for the first time since December 2017 and Coyle wants that stat to motivate his side.

“It is an opportunity to win three games in a row. We need to continue to play high-intensity and top quality football. The players are in a good place physically and mentally.”

Asked about his thoughts on team selection in midfield, with Germanpreet Singh back from suspension on the back of Edwin Vanspaul’s impressive display in a similar role in the 2-0 win over NorthEast, the gaffer said, “If players come into the team and do well, then it’s got to be a fair fight. In fairness, Germanpreet has a little niggle, so he will be touch and go. Whether he is fit for the 18-man squad for the game or not. We don’t want to force him into a situation and lose him with big games coming up. That being said, Edwin showed his quality in the previous game, Dinliana (Renthlei) was excellent at full back as well. It was a terrific team performance.” 

The win over NEUFC also saw CFC keep just their second clean sheet of the season. And Coyle was full of praise for Vishal and his backline for ensuring the shut-out.

“The NorthEast game was also important with respect to getting the clean sheet. Vishal made some very good saves, he is in great form.”

“There is no doubt in my mind that this young man has a bright future. He listens, he learns and that is something I’ve been very impressed by. The attitude and desire of the Indian players has been sensational. A number of them will be contenders for the national team, I’m sure,” he added. 

Coyle’s first game in charge was away at Jamshedpur, in what was an unfortunate 1-1 draw through an equalizer conceded in controversial circumstances in the closing stages. After Nerijus Valskis’ first half goal, CFC conceded late on as an Isaac Vanmalsawma shot hit Farukh Choudhary’s hand and went past Kaith in goal.

“Forgive me for saying this but we should’ve left (Jamshedpur) with all three points. The referee decided in his wisdom that Farukh hadn’t punched the ball into the net. It was an introduction to the trials and tribulations that we all face on a game-to-game basis.”

Coyle reiterated on the need to find a balance between defence and attack, the latter having come into its own with 12 goals in CFC’s six games under Coyle with Valskis & Co. firing on all cylinders. 

“We’ve got to continue that (goalscoring form) but also get the balance defensively. That’s where Vishal and the others are important. We should’ve even got the clean sheet against Hyderabad. But we’re moving forward in the right direction.”

“Lot of work to be done still. We aren’t the finished article. But we’re enjoying the journey we’re on. There is room for improvement, everyone needs to strive to do better. The players need to understand they are playing for two-time ISL champions, to give back to the fans and put a smile on their faces,” the coach stressed to his troops.

The CFC custodian Vishal Kaith also shared that the focus was to get a win at all costs, with or without a clean sheet. 

“Clean sheet is important but not more important than the win. The game against Jamshedpur FC is of huge significance for us. Whether we keep a clean sheet or not, it is a must-win for us. But yes, the focus is always to try and do our best. In the last outing against NorthEast also the team put in a good performance, the clean sheet a huge plus. And that is what we will try to replicate,” Kaith said to the media.