Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle urged his players to make the most of their chances as his team takes on Odisha FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.

The Marina Machans have managed to win a single game out of their last five outings. Coming from two successive losses against Mumbai City FC and East Bengal FC, Coyle’s men will be determined to get back on the winning track against the Kalinga Warriors on their home turf.

Odisha FC currently occupy the top spot in the league table with 35 points in 17 matches. Before facing the in-form Kalinga Warriors, Coyle acknowledged his opponent’s strengths and remained optimistic about getting a positive outcome on their home turf.

"There's no doubt that they're a very good side. But that being said, we know if we're the best, it's a game we can win. We're back at home, which is great,” he said in the pre-match press conference.

“We know that performance-wise there have been some good aspects of that (match against Mumbai City FC and East Bengal FC), but ultimately, in football, people just look at results, which you need to get if you want to attain success," he added.

Chennaiyin FC has generated numerous opportunities through the flanks in their last two matches, displaying promise with quick counterattacks. However, the team's inability to convert these chances prevented them from securing points in these matches. The Scottish head coach underscored the importance of converting goal-scoring opportunities to maximise points in the upcoming matches.

"What we have to do is certainly be more clinical because we create big chances in every game,” he stated.

“But that being said, for where we are just now, we want to be winning; we can do that. So four games at home and two away, all games capable of winning because we've shown good performances. But what we need is that clinical edge to take the chances," he continued.

Coyle remained positive about their chances to qualify for the playoffs. He urged his players to display a strong performance against Odisha FC, as he believes that would lead his team to do well in their next matches.

"I think for us, it's the first game that comes, which is against Odisha FC. We've shown we can win games, and that's what we have to do. It's one game at a time. But we know if we can come up with a big performance and win that game against Odisha FC, it will lead us into a game against Hyderabad FC. So there are real opportunities moving forward," he explained.

We have to take advantage of our four home matches: Debjit Majumder

 

Goalkeeper Debjit Majumder accompanied his head coach ahead of their next home match against Odisha FC. Notably, the Kolkata-born goalie has achieved three clean sheets and made 36 saves this season thus far.

Majumder also believes that they could still reach the playoffs if they could perform well in their upcoming few matches. Speaking in context, he said, "If we win two games, I think we can push ourselves in there and be in a much better position, and we have to take advantage of our four home matches now."

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Chennaiyin FCOdisha FC2023-2024 Debjit Majumder