Vasco (Goa) : Chennaiyin FC head coach Syed Sabir Pasha wants his players to show character they did in their last match and exuded confidence that his team will give a real fight to Jamshedpur FC in their next Hero Indian Super League match at the Tilak Maidan here on Sunday.
Chennaiyin bounced back from 0-5 loss against FC Goa to hold Odisha FC to a 2-2 draw in their last game, in what was Pasha’s first outing as the team’s manager.
“In the last match the boys really showed character. It is always difficult after conceding 5 goals in the previous match and then going down and coming back. That is what we were lacking and I think we have to carry that forward in the next match,” Pasha said in a virtual press conference ahead of Sunday’s game.
The coach lauded his players for their fighting spirit as they re-grouped in brilliant fashion to secure the draw.Pasha, however, is aware of Jamshedpur’s threat and asked his players to produce their ‘A’ game on Sunday.
“Jamshedpur are a very good side. They are good both in defence and attack, so we have to lift our game. What we did in the last match, we have to go up little more in terms of percentage. We have to be stronger in defence because they have some dangerous players who can harm us.
With 20 points from 17 games, Chennaiyin FC continue to occupy the eighth position and wins in their remaining three games might just not be enough for the two-time ISL champions to secure a top-four finish.
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Chennaiyin FC’s Lithuanian international Nerijus Valskis, who scored against Odisha, said they would be looking to garner as many points as possible.
“Yes, I am happy with my goal but not happy with the results. I am feeling much better and all players are confident that we can show the best game. In these last 3 games we just need to fight, show our energy and try to take as much points as possible.”
Jamshedpur are sitting pretty on third spot with 28 points from 15 games. But Chennaiyin FC will take heart from the fact that they defeated Jamshedpur 1-0 in the first leg last month.
