The Chennaiyin boss isn’t overly worried about the return of FC Goa’s key attackers.
Chennaiyin FC hav a 4-1 advantage over FC Goa as they prepare for the next leg of the 2019-20 Indian Super League (ISL) semi-final clash in the Fatorda Stadium in Goa, on Saturday.
But, Owen Coyle still feels the Marina Machans possess a dangerous game in their hands. “For those who have any kind of advantage, it is great to get that. That having been said, we all know that we’ve got an extremely dangerous game (against FC Goa),” stated the Chennaiyin head coach.
“Over the course of the 18 games in the league, they (FC Goa) are the best team. I have as much admiration for FC Goa which will not change (but) we need to be certain we see our benefit though, not that it will not present its own challenges,” he added.
He continued,”We must be at our very best. Given the importance of the sport, we all know they can be quite dangerous. They have some terrific players. Tomorrow (Saturday) the league will present FC Goa the defense for completing first – it is a magnificent achievement, and of course the [AFC Champions League] qualification. We’ll applaud, but if the game starts we’ll be centered on that game to see us through to the closing.
“If you looked at the previous eight games (in the regular season) of the ISL, Chennaiyin would be the group who gathered the most points than any other group. We are aware that we are a fantastic side, we understand that we have good players, we’ve shown an enormous mentality, we’ve shown desire. We come here to a tricky venue but one that we’re waiting.”
FC Goa is expecting to be fielded a full-strength side following the return of Edu Bedia, Hugo Boumous and Brandon Fernandes from harm.
“They’re fantastic players. Boumous obviously gets enormous accolades and so he should. He is among the best a few players in the league. Fernandes again (is a) smart player. Bedia comes back. That will increase the attacking flair that they already have. Obviously, when you have players of the quality, you will obviously need to utilise that. That having been said, we scored four goals and not one of these boys play in the back.
“We all know that we can score goals but we might need to get out from that dash that these players provide. FC Goa has been in that place (first in the league) for a reason and we hope to be contrary to the best team and we must be certain we are at our very best,” Coyle acknowledged.
The prior Wigan Athletic manager talked about Goa’s away goal in the 4-1 lead to Chennai, meaning that the Goans need a 3-0 win to overturn the result in their favour.
“With a 4-0 lead, you need to be certain you find the game out. Those (off ) goals are always crucial. What it does is it provides FC Goa a goal, a lifeline, and we need to be certain we replicate our performance back home and we’re capable of doing this.
“Nothing is decided. We got a lot to do to reach the final and the players understand that. I’ve talked to my players about complacency and we must be certain we bring the tiny items to put together to get the big thing,” Coyle concluded.
