Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle called the goals conceded soft after his side went down 4-2 to Bengaluru FC at the Marina Arena on Saturday.

The game began at a fast pace, with Ryan Williams putting the visitors ahead in the 16th minute. However, Irfan Yadwad quickly levelled the score just three minutes later. Bengaluru FC regained the lead in the 43rd minute, thanks to Sunil Chhetri, but Lalrinliana Hnamte responded with an equalizer in stoppage time of the first half.

Match Report: Chennaiyin FC 2-4 Bengaluru FC

The second half saw Bengaluru FC regain the upper hand, as Williams made it 3-2 midway through. Despite continued pressure from the hosts, searching for a third equalizer, a crucial own goal from Laldinliana Renthlei sealed the win for Bengaluru FC, leaving Chennaiyin FC to suffer another home defeat.

Coyle gave an honest assessment of the match, reflecting on the team's performance and analyzing the key moments in his post-match comments.

“I thought it was a great opportunity for a lot of these lads to stand up and show they could deal with very good players, and (Sunil) Chhetri, (Jorge) Pereyra Diaz, and (Ryan) Williams, who I thought was outstanding in the game,” Coyle said at the post-match press conference.

“We allowed four crosses into our box and they resulted in four goals, one culminating in probably an own goal that's so avoidable. And yet for that, in the first half, we played really well, created really good chances, had to come back twice, we probably should have been in front. So there was a lot to be pleased about with that, albeit that I thought two goals were avoidable,” he added.

“I wanted to play against the best players so that I could show that I'm on that level and sadly tonight, defensively, we never got to that level that's why we conceded such soft goals,” Coyle further added.

The Chennaiyin FC faithful had once again turned up in large numbers, eager to end the year on a high with a win over rivals Bengaluru FC. However, they left in disappointment as their team suffered a third home defeat.

Coyle acknowledged the support from the fans despite the challenging times and remained optimistic about turning things around in the second half of the season, as they did in the previous year.

“So for the fans, the support is great we'll never ever say anything against our fan base they're loyal and they come and support us. Tonight was the last game of the year, they got behind the team and of course, there'll be elements that have frustration and have a sign or this or that, that's the nature of football.”

“But what we know is football can change very quickly so as much as that was hot, the goals were, you know, not something I ever want to see again in respect of how we lost them tonight. But we just have to regroup, get everyone together, make one or two small tweaks, little changes here and there, and be ready for a strong second half of the season as we did last year,” Coyle opined.

Chennaiyin FC remained in ninth position after the defeat, three points behind the playoff spot, having played two more games.

Coyle will surely look to strengthen the side during the winter window in a bid to fight for a playoff spot.

“I need to get the right type of players that's going to represent Chennaiyin FC the right way. And the way we lost the goal tonight is not representative of how I want that team to be. So that's something I'll set my work in January if there's anything to be done,” he commented.

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