“We have to be more focused in Goa” – Owen Coyle after first-leg advantage

Chennai, February 29, 2020: Chennaiyin FC registered a 4-1 win over FC Goa in the Hero Indian Super League semi-final first leg here on Saturday. A second-half goal glut from Lucian Goian, Anirudh Thapa, Eli Sabia and Lallianzuala Chhangte sees CFC take a healthy advantage to Goa.

Commenting on the way it all began, Coyle said, “Talking about the game, they paid us huge respect by not pressing and not allowing space. We started on the front foot with a few corners and decent half-chances. But Goa were always a threat on the counter.”

With the scoreline 0-0 at the break, Coyle shared his half-time team talk, “I said at half-time, we weren’t fluent in our passing. We had to take care of the ball. I knew that if we do, we will make chances for our goalscorers. And we scored some outstanding goals eventually, fully merited.”

But the Chennaiyin gaffer is wary of Goa’s capabilities while CFC not getting carried anything.

“A note of caution as it’s only half-time in the tie. We have to go to Goa and replicate this performance. We won’t sit back and be negative. If we do, Goa will come at us and attack,” he said.

“Both the Goa coaches – Derrick Pereira and Clifford Miranda are terrific coaches and good men. They’re very humble and respectful. So we have to be sure about the challenge they will present to us in Goa,” he added.

The visitors were missing two key players in Hugo Boumous and Brandon Fernandes. But that didn’t seem to change CFC’s approach.

“They played in a similar way, still. But we still had to be compact, as they have some wonderful players. We spoke about it and rectified it at half-time. Yes, they did miss Boumous and Brandon, top players. But we’ve had to cope as well similarly this season. They might be available for next week and we have to be ready.”

“We are good on and off the ball. We have been preparing and building up. It’s fantastic then to see it all come together like it did against a quality side.”

The 22-year-old midfielder Thapa has now scored two play-off goals against FC Goa, this one a first goal at home.

“We spoke about Thapa having goals in him. And then he pops up tonight with a wonderful goal. For me I’ve always said he’s the best Indian midfielder in the country with scope to improve. I was a bit hard on him at half time, pointing out what needed to improve,” he revealed.

“He accepted that, took accountability and stepped it up in the second half with an accomplished performance that culminated in a goal fit to win any game,” praised Coyle.

Asked on what the mindset would be going into the second leg, Coyle said, “There will be no complacency, 100%. We haven’t come this far to stop here. Because I’ve been in this game a long time with many experiences, we’re always respectful of the opponent. If we take our eye off the ball, these Goa players will punish us.”

“Next week we have to be more focused than we have been this week. One week of preparation will help us.”

Speaking about the nature of the game next week, Coyle said, “Now we have to ready ourselves. Their fans will come out in numbers, it’ll be a fantastic atmosphere. Let’s stand toe to toe and take ourselves to the final.”

The gaffer took off Edwin midway through the second half after he seemed to have picked up a knock to his head. Explaining the reasoning behind the change, he said, “Edwin was a bit light-headed from a bang on the head. He was also on a yellow card, so we didn’t want to take any chances. And Germanpreet (Singh) was ready to play. He’s an outstanding player too.

Edwin, Thapa, Chhangte, Vishal Kaith and Jeje Lalpekhlua have been called for national team camp ahead of the FIFA World Cup qualifier against Qatar. But Coyle feels there are others in his squad that also fit the mold.

“Forgive me for being repetitive and biased. Igor Stimac has named a very good national squad with some of our players, but for me even German, Dinliana (Laldinliana Renthlei), Jerry (Lalrinzuala) – all deserve a national team squad call-up. And performances like these will surely help them.”

“It was our last home game so it was fitting to get a win like that. I’ve said we want to win games but also try and entertain. Sending the fans home with a smile on their face,” he concluded while paying tribute to the fans.