CHENNAI:
Chennaiyin FC have been one of the most interesting teams to watch this season in the
Indian Super League (
ISL
). They have been creative in attack and defensively sound, conceding only seven goals so far, yet their wastefulness in front of the goal have let them down.
On Monday when they face
Hyderabad FC
at the GMC Stadium, Bambolim, they will be eager to put an end to their problem of scoring goals and log full points.
Despite their struggles, Chennaiyin coach Csaba Laszlo believes it’s just a matter of time before their forward-line begins firing again.
“Football is a psychological game," Laszlo said during a pre-match press conference.
“I think, in
football
, it's more difficult to create chances than to score. I want to play in the same way that we have until now and I am really confident. I know the boys will score (more) goals. Let's say that the confidence must be there in a player.”
Chennaiyin will possibly be without their skipper Rafael Crivellaro, who picked up an injury in their last match against ATK Mohun Bagan. However, the good news is that Isma has been declared fit.
“The medical staff are working with Crivellaro. He has a diagnostic test tomorrow (Monday), after which we will be sure what injury he has. Isma is back and that’s good news. Germanpreet (Singh) is also more or less fit, maybe not game fit,” he said.
Without Crivellaro, the creative onus will be on the Indian contingent, especially the likes of winger Lallianzuala Chhangte and midfielder Anirudh Thapa. Against a dynamic Hyderabad side that also boasts emerging Indian talent, it will be interesting to see how Laszlo shuffles the pack.
Chennaiyin have also been guilty of giving away cheap goals from set-piece situations despite the presence of aerially strong players.
“We are working on it. We conceded all together seven goals, five from set-pieces. The last game was a clean-sheet and we have to continue in this way. We have good players who can defend,” Laszlo said.
On the other hand, Hyderabad are a point behind Chennaiyin on the table and coach Manuel Marquez said that both sides deserved more points.
"They (Chennaiyin) are a very dangerous team with a lot of good players," said Marquez. "They have offensive players and are also dangerous in set-pieces. I think Chennaiyin and Hyderabad deserve more points than we have on the table," Marquez added.
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