Chennaiyin FC take on FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Thursday as they attempt to pick up maximum points and consolidate their top-four status. The visitors have been winless in their previous two encounters and would aim to avenge the defeat they faced when the two teams met at the start of the season. With a formidable attacking unit up front, Chennaiyin’s defence has to be resolute enough to hold their own and speaking to indiansuperleague.com on the eve of the match, was their defender Keenan Almeida. The 26-year-old will return to his hometown to take on his previous club and here are the excerpts from the interview.

How does it feel to be back in Goa and play in your hometown?

It’s always nice coming back here since I am a local from Goa. I had been playing for FC Goa for the last two seasons and in front of these amazing fans. It’s a nice feeling to be back to your hometown and play in front of the same fans, but for a different team. So, it’s a mixed kind of a feeling.

How crucial is the encounter against FC Goa, considering Chennaiyin’s playoff chances?

From now on every match is going to be important for all the teams, who are going to fight for the top four finish. Tomorrow’s match, especially, is going to be very important because Goa is sixth and just four points behind us, with one match in hand. We basically need two wins from the four matches, so a win tomorrow would be good for us.

Chennaiyin have a tough schedule ahead with four games in 17 days. Does it affect your game?

I don’t think it affects because now we are used to this. Some of the matches are happening in a gap of three days, so we are used to it now. Also, we have all professional staff over here who take care of our diet, rest and everything. So, I don’t think it affects.

What will the team’s approach be for the remainder of the season?

First of all, it will be tomorrow’s match. We will take one game at a time. First, it is about getting to the top four, then thinking ahead.

Your personal objectives for the upcoming matches?

I don’t think in football, personal objectives are important. We play as a team and what is the objective of the entire team is more important.

According to you, how is Chennaiyin different from other teams?

I think, we have a good set of players, a good mix of foreign and Indian players. We have experienced players like Jeje (Lalpekhlua), plus we have the youth like (Anirudh) Thapa, Germanpreet (Singh) and myself. So, we have a good mix and a good coaching staff. Especially our coach (John Gregory), who motivates the team really well and gives us a lot of confidence. That’s something different.

Which is your funniest moment or experience in the dressing room?

It has to be related to Mailson (Alves), as he is the livewire in our team. He’s the one who plays the maximum pranks and pull everyone’s legs. So, it has to be something related to him. Can’t really pick one out.