Chennaiyin FC will play their final match of the season when they square off against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Thursday. The Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2017-18 champions have endured a terrible season this time around and are currently languishing at the bottom of the table. With the AFC Cup qualifier looming large, Chennaiyin head coach John Gregory will want his side to gather some positive momentum going into the tie and a good showing against the Gaurs will do wonders to repair their depleted confidence.

Gregory addressed the media at the pre-match press conference before the match. He began by admitting his team's shortcomings this campaign but remained hopeful that they will come back stronger next season. "We were pretty determined at the start of the season to ensure we don't let complacency slip in. But it has been a disappointing year, much like 2016 (season 3). We are extremely disappointed in the way our season has turned out. Things will change next season and I am sure we will be back challenging for the Hero ISL title," the Englishman said.

Talking about Chennaiyin’s historic rivalry with Goa, Gregory mentioned, "Chennaiyin and Goa have had a very intense rivalry from the start. We have done relatively well against them, especially during my time with Chennaiyin. There is obviously a lot of history between both teams. From our point of view, we are preparing for the AFC Cup and Hero Super Cup. So, in that regard, it represents a chance to test ourselves yet again against quality opposition. They have been the outstanding team of this season. I always look forward to watching FC Goa play. They are very pleasing on the eye, a very good footballing side. Without a doubt, for me, they are the favourites to win the Hero ISL title this season."

Despite Goa’s obvious quality, Gregory remained hopeful of his side’s ability to enforce a positive result. "I am sure they (Goa) will want to finish the league on a high, so we will have a fight on our hands. We are looking for a little bit of form. The last three matches we have played much better than how we did earlier in the season. We will be ready for the challenge, hoping for a good result to carry momentum into the AFC Cup," he added.

Continuing on the same note, Gregory pointed out, "I’ll be pleased to win tomorrow night against Goa. We've had a lot of opportunities to win this season, but we are where we are owing to a number of factors. We haven't performed anywhere close to what we are capable of. I don’t enjoy the fact that we are in the position that we are in. It is what it is. We have had 17 opportunities to win matches this year. No one finished bottom because you have had things given against you."

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