I-League: Determined Chennai City FC faces Indian Arrows test

Chennai City FC has moved on from its away loss to Real Kashmir, and aims to get back to winning ways when it takes on Indian Arrows on Friday.

Published : Feb 07, 2019 21:14 IST , BHUBANESWAR

Chennai City FC had defeated Indian Arrows the last time the two teams met. Photo: AIFF Media
Chennai City FC had defeated Indian Arrows the last time the two teams met. Photo: AIFF Media
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Chennai City FC had defeated Indian Arrows the last time the two teams met. Photo: AIFF Media

Title aspirant Chennai City FC will be keen to get back to winning ways when it meets Indian Arrows in an I-League encounter at the Kalinga Stadium here on Friday.

Chennai, placed second with 30 points behind Real Kashmir, has moved on from its away loss to Kashmir in the 10-day gap and looks forward to repeating the victory it had secured over Arrows in its league opener in October. However, the club is aware that Arrows has improved significantly in last three months and has produced some impressive performances, including its win over Minerva Punjab on Tuesday .

‘Good’ mood

Chennai coach Akbar Nawas said his team was in right frame of mind. “The mood is good and one defeat does not define the season. We don’t look at the table. We are approaching one match at a time,” Nawas said on Thursday.

Read | FC Basel signs strategic partnership with Chennai City FC

Nawas had a word of caution for his team against a young and fit side like Arrows. “We have to be prepared to compete because if you don’t compete against a team like Arrows, then you can be in trouble,” he said.

Chennai will depend on top scorers like Pedro Javier, Nestor Jesus and Sandro R. to put pressure on its opponent.

‘A happy bunch’

Arrows, slotted seventh with 16 points, is in an upbeat mood ahead of the contest. “We worked hard in the three matches but were unable to cross the line. Finally, we could get some points. We are a happy bunch,” said Arrows coach Floyd Pinto.

Pinto acknowledged that his young side had got better since the time it met Chennai.

Arrows missed last season’s top goal-scorer Abhijit Sarkar for most part of the season, and will hope to use his services to stop Chennai and record its second consecutive win at home.

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