Our final cross needs to be better: Chennaiyin FC’s Owen Coyle after draw against Hyderabad FC

Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle has urged his players to improve their final cross after a goalless draw in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday. 

The Marina Machans dominated the possession with 57.2% and also took six shots on target. However, the visitors failed to find the back of the net despite a dominant performance. The tourists could not grab their chances and had to settle for a point against the Nizams.

“I think Hyderabad FC were always dangerous on the counterattack. Allan (Paulista), the striker, is a very good player, and I think he’ll be a handful, and (Abdul) Rabeeh is a very exciting young Indian player, one that I think has a real chance of having a very good career. I really like that kid. Ramhlunchhunga also. They’re dangerous players,” he said in the post-match press conference.

“We dominated the game; what we had to be aware of was the quick counterattack through Hyderabad FC’s pace, particularly Rabeeh and Allan, and they had a couple of opportunities. We (also) had great chances; we’re in the wide areas, probably our crossing, which is normally good; our crossing could have been better. We got into so many wide areas; we were in great positions, and our final cross needs to be better,” he continued, sharing his assessment of their overall performance.

Meanwhile, Hyderabad FC were reduced to 10 men after Parag Shrivas received a second yellow card in the 70th minute for a bad foul.

The Chennaiyin FC gaffer had words of praise for his opponent team, saying, “Hyderabad FC, to be fair, they’re spirited; they’re always going to be energetic. (It’s their) first game at home; the fans got behind, but helped them hang in there in the end.”

“But we had so many great opportunities for that final ball, that final pass. So, it’s a clean sheet, (the) first one of the season, so another point away from home could have been all three, and probably should have been,” he added.

Chennaiyin FC will next take on NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati on 17th October.