Hero Indian Super League side Chennaiyin FC returned to India on Tuesday, after completing their pre-season training in Perugia, Italy. The players, who arrived in the small hours, got a warm reception from fans at the Chennai International Airport.Chennaiyin FC, top goal-scoring team of the inaugural ISL, lost to Kerala Blasters FC in the semi-finals. In Italy, they played four games and they won twice (vs Ortena and ASD San Donato Tavarnelle) and lost twice (vs Gualdo Casacastalda and Unione Sportiva Arezzo).Chennaiyin FC’s marquee player Elano was thrilled at the welcome the team received at the airport. "I have no words to describe how I feel. This is incredible. We can only thank the fans by performing well on the pitch. I can't wait to play in front of all of them at the Marina Arena," Elano told reporters on his arrival with the team.Fikru Teferra, who scored five goals for defending champions Atletico de Kolkata last season before moving to Chennaiyin FC, too expressed his joy. "I am a new player but they [fans] treated me as if I have been playing for them for years. I am grateful for their support and really excited to score many goals for them,"Fikru exulted.After a couple of days’ rest, Chennayin FC will resume the last leg of their pre-season training. They open their ISL 2 campaign against Atletico de Kolkata on October 3 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
