Chennaiyin FC headed to Goa for a must-win encounter to kick off their playoff chances for the season. However, Owen Coyle’s team struggled in the first half, when the Gaurs scored two goals, enough to win the game and take all three points. A frustrated, dejected Owen Coyle spoke about the loss, goals being gifted and the mistakes from his players.
Owen Coyle on the loss:
It was always going to be a difficult game for the Marina Machans because of Goa’s amazing 11-game winning streak. However, the way Owen Coyle’s team lost the game was disgraceful. Goa went wild against the Chennaiyin defense in the first half. The visitors had no attempts on target during the whole game, which is unacceptable for a club attempting to earn all three points. Owen Coyle discussed the terrible first half and the gifted goals when asked about the defeat.
“In the first half, it’s nowhere near good enough. That was very obvious. FC Goa are a good side without us contributing to gift them goals, which we did. First goal, obviously it was a comfortable take, and it’s spilt. We found ourselves one down and even the second goal was so avoidable, just do our job against the ball. That gave us obviously a mountain to do, tried to change it at halftime, freshen things up. Obviously much better in the second half, but far too much to do at that point. There’s no doubt that FC Goa deserved to win the game.”
Owen Coyle on his players:
Owen Coyle has always been a manager who will never put his players under the bus, no matter how crushing the result. However, today was different. He singled out Kiyan Nassiri for the second goal and emphasized that some of the players would be removed from the team if they failed to deliver what the coaches ask from them.
“We’ve given the ball away in silly areas and it’s bringing in quick transitions which Goa love doing. We showed them all and went through all and that’s the bit that’s annoying me. It’s very simple, you either understand the message or you won’t be playing in the team”
“For the second goal, people talk about wonderfully talented players which we have, but you’ve got to do your job getting back on the pitch. You’ve got to track your runners and that’s so avoidable.”
Owen Coyle on playoffs:
Despite the fact that Chennaiyin FC has failed to win any of its previous six games, the Marina Machans may mathematically qualify for the playoffs if they win all of their last six games and other teams’ results swing in their favor. Owen Coyle talked about what they need to accomplish to still be eligible for the playoffs.
“We have six games now, four at home and two away. And every one of them, teams round about us. And that’s the ones, as we did last year, turned that in our head. Certainly, have to perform better than we did in the first half tonight. But we know those games are winnable for our best. So, we’ll refresh, take the feeling which is not particularly nice for everybody at the football club. And look to pick we up and look to win a home game and a derby game against Kerala.”
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