ISL Playoffs: Our Abilities Can Be Crucial Against Goa – Owen Coyle

As all four teams prepare for the second legs of the Indian Super League playoffs this weekend, manager of Chennaiyin FC, Owen Coyle, has stated that though his team respects Goa, their abilities can prove pivotal.

Chennaiyin FC last weekend shocked India football fans with a comfortable 4-1 over Goa FC in the first leg of the encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium.

Four second-half goals established a comfortable three-goal lead into the second leg for Chennaiyin.

The Irish manager stated that though the team has an advantage, there is a need for players to be at their very best. Also, the players have the ability to win matches and as well ensure that the advantage must be well utilized till the end of the second leg.

The manager accorded respect to Goa, whom he described as a good team after they had finished the league stage as the no 1 team in the ISL.

Chennaiyin FC are unbeaten in nine games played with the most points gathered in the league based on the last 8 matches played.

They have seven wins, and 2 draws from their last 9 matches played while the Gaurs have 3 losses and 6 wins in their last 9.

Meanwhile, the other Playoff game will see Atletico De Kolkota will host Bengaluru FC, whom they lost in the first leg by 1-0.

Despite finishing the game with a man less, Bengaluru took the lead in the first 30 minutes of the game through Jamaican Deshorn Brown while the red card came in the 84th minute to Indian 22-year-old defender Nishu Kumar.

Their second leg will come up Sunday 8th of March at the Salt Lake Stadium with the final of the playoffs.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu