ISL 2024-25: Chennaiyin hosts Odisha FC aiming for late surge towards playoff race
ISL 2024-25: Chennaiyin hosts Odisha FC aiming for late surge towards playoff race
Chennaiyin FC will look to revive its Indian Super League 2024-25 campaign when it hosts Odisha FC in its first match of the year, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday.
Owen Coyle’s men are reeling in 10th place in the points table and have recorded only one win in their last seven games, ending 2024 with a frustrating 2-4 loss against Bengaluru FC.
On the other hand, coming off a 2-4 loss against FC Goa, OFC will be seeking to stop the home side from doing the double over it. CFC had beaten OFC in its first match of the season, snapping its 569-day unbeaten run at the Kalinga Stadium.
Defensive frailty has been one of the root causes of Chennaiyin’s poor form this season. Suspensions and injuries too have played their part but Coyle was quick to not make any excuses and insist that an improvement was required from everybody.
“It is a very simple scenario. Focus, concentrate, stop giving up soft goals,” Coyle said during the pre-match press conference.
“(We need to) make sure we’re ready to eradicate the individual errors. And if we do, then that will lead to winning games. And when you win one, then you go and you build and you get that momentum,” he added.
Coyle will be encouraged by the return of captain Ryan Edwards, who missed the last game due to suspension. However, Brazilian Elsinho remains doubtful for the match despite training with the team after a head injury in the December 11 game against Hyderabad.
“For me, he’s (Elsinho) done all the training. But, with the ISL protocol, because of the nature of the injury, we need the specialist to give a written clearance. If that is given, Elsinho will start,” Coyle said.
Bikash Yumnam and P. C. Laldinpuia are expected to form the back line with Edwards as they will attempt to keep just their third clean sheet of the season.
Connor Shields, who leads the league charts for most chances created, will be looking to dictate play in midfield alongside Lukas Brambilla.
With Daniel Chima Chukwu struggling in front of goal and Wilmar Jordan Gil gradually recovering from injury, Coyle will have to put extra trust on the shoulders of Farukh Choudhary and Irfan Yadwad to keep the score ticking.
OFC coach Sergio Lobera will be without the services of veteran Ahmed Jahouh, who was sent off during its 2-4 loss against FC Goa. This could prompt the Spaniard to promote Thoiba Singh Moirangthem to midfield, leaving Mourtada Fall to form a centre-back partnership with Carlos Delgado.
In attack, both Diego Mauricio and new-signing forward Dorielton Gomes Nascimento are expected to be involved, despite the former’s four-game goal drought.
“Having two strikers like Diego and Dori is a good problem to have as a coach. We have two games in a short time, so there will be opportunities for everyone,” Lobera emphasised.
Speaking about OFC’s latest signing Rahul K.P., he said, “He (Rahul) is with us and can play. We have two more training sessions, and I need to choose the best lineup. But yes, he is in the team.”
After 14 games, Coyle and his team are in a similar predicament as last season, from where he rallied the squad to step up and secure a playoff spot. He will look to take the first step to re-enact the same when they face an impressive OFC side that is unbeaten in its last three games on the road.
