Chennaiyin FC registered a comprehensive 3-0 win over Atlético de Kolkata in the first leg of their 2015 Hero Indian Super League semi-final encounter at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium in Pune on Saturday. The Super Machans created history after becoming the first side to have won five games in a row. Skipper Bernard Mendy, who made two crucial blocks towards the end of the game for Chennai, spoke to indiansuperleague.com in an exclusive interview after the match and assessed his team’s overall display on the night before the all-important return leg on December 16. Here are the excerpts from the interview.Besides the buzzing crowd away from home tonight, what else do you think went right for you?Tonight was a special game for us as well as the fans. But I’m slightly disappointed that we didn’t get to play in front of them in Chennai [due to devastating floods there]. The victory is dedicated to them and we aren’t there yet [in the final]. It’s just a step and I’m happy about the clean sheet tonight, and for winning the game for the people of Chennai."I can’t help but think of Roberto Carlos’ goal against France."Bernard MendyWith tonight’s 3-0 win, do you think you have got one foot in the final already?No, I can say from my years of experience that [winning] one game doesn’t mean things are finished. We will celebrate now but tomorrow onwards, we will focus on our away game.What do you have to say about Bruno Pelissari’s goal?All I can say is he is Brazilian. He must have practised that goal in training with Elano. I can’t help but think of Roberto Carlos’ goal against France [in FIFA World Cup ‘98]. He [Pelissari] was lucky tonight and I’m happy for him.
