Chennaiyin FC is ready to return home for their first match of the new Indian Super League (ISL) season. Their last home game was a special occasion, filled with fans celebrating a playoff finish after four years. Now, they are looking to build on their opening 3-2 victory over Odisha FC with a win against newly promoted Mohammedan Sporting Club.
Coach Owen Coyle is optimistic about his team’s performance. “The boys are hungry and looking forward to the game,” he stated at the pre-match press conference. “We have to level that performance (against Odisha). There are little things that we can do better, and we are working and focusing on them.”
Chennaiyin’s strong counter-attacking style is expected to continue, with key players like Farukh Chaudhary, Conor Shields, Irfan Yadwad, and Daniel Chima Chukwu leading the charge. However, Coyle is wary of the late goals that have become a trend in the ISL this season. “The game is never over till you hear the final whistle,” he cautions.
On the other side, Mohammedan Sporting is facing their first away game and is looking to overcome the nerves that come with it. Head coach Andrey Chernyshov emphasizes maintaining their philosophy regardless of the venue. “We cannot forget that we played against good teams who have some of the best Indian and foreign players,” he points out. “Also, they pressed at the last minute to change the results. We need to maintain concentration at the last moments of the match.”
Both teams are aware of the danger of conceding late goals, as both Mohammedan and Chennaiyin have experienced it firsthand in previous matches. The encounter promises a clash of styles, with Chennaiyin’s attacking focus meeting Mohammedan’s resilient defense. The previous meeting between these two teams was a pre-season friendly that ended in a 1-1 draw.
This match marks a historic first, as it will be the first competitive match between these two teams. Chennaiyin will have their full squad available, while Mohammedan will be missing key players due to injury, including Ghanaian center-back Abdul Kadiri Mohammed and Mohammed Jassim.
The match is scheduled for a 7:30 pm IST kick-off and is sure to be a thrilling encounter.
