Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle is aiming to secure a double over Bengaluru FC as they clash with their Southern rivals in the return leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

After sitting out Matchweek 13, the Marina Machans are poised to resume their league campaign for the second half of the season.

With three wins in their opening 12 matches, Coyle’s side currently hold the ninth position in the league. Now, they are determined to deliver an improved performance for the remainder of the campaign, seeking a spot in the playoffs that has eluded them for the past three seasons.

“It’s great to come back fresh and go into the second half of the season with six games at home and four away. It’s a great opportunity for us to make it to the playoffs. We need to make sure that we are in the top six. Everything is in our own hands. We decide our own fate. We are excited and looking forward to that,” Coyle stated in the pre-match press conference.

In the previous encounter in December, Chennaiyin FC emerged victorious with a 2-0 scoreline, courtesy of goals from Rafael Crivellaro and Jordan Murray, both converting from the penalty spot.

Coyle is eager for his team to replicate their home performance in the upcoming match and seal full points which will take them into the sixth position in the points table.

“We'll look to pick the best team available and go to Bengaluru. We will try to do the double (over them), having already beaten them in Chennaiyin in the league and we take valuable three points (from this game) which would take us into the top six straight away,” he mentioned.

In the January transfer window, Chennaiyin FC secured the loan signing of Mobashir Rahman from East Bengal FC. The midfielder has now reunited with Coyle, having previously collaborated with the tactician at Jamshedpur FC, where they successfully clinched the ISL League Shield.

However, Mobashir Rahman was the only addition to the squad during the entire transfer window. Reflecting on the team's transfer activities in the winter window, Coyle stated, “We tried very hard in the January transfer window, but we could not sign the players we would have loved to have. We didn't want to sign players just for the sake of signing them. I wanted bonafide starters and players who can improve and make us better. That’s how you build good teams.”

“Moreover, the January window is a difficult market, because not many good players will be available. Now, our focus is on achieving the top six spot. The opportunity for us is to make sure when we’re on the field now, that we capitalize those games. I hope the young players we have can rise to the challenge as everything is up for grabs,” the Scottish added.

Winger Ninthoinganba Meetei, fondly known as Ninthoi, accompanied Owen Coyle at the pre-match press conference. The 22-year-old has been impressive so far, scoring two goals in nine appearances in the league this season.

He sheds light on the preparations ahead of the match against Bengaluru FC and discusses the aspects they need to improve before taking the field.

“The break was really important for us. Two weeks after the Super Cup, we worked really hard and followed the process, doing a lot of conditioning and finishing,” he said.

“The team is focused on the upcoming match against Bengaluru FC. During the games, we work hard but miss the key opportunities, so we worked on this aspect during the break,” added Ninthoi.

Related tags:

Bengaluru FCChennaiyin FC2023-2024 Khumanthem Ninthoinganba Meetei