ISL 2020-21 preview: Chennaiyin eyes return to winning ways against out-of-form Hyderabad

ISL 2020-21: After a rocky start to this Indian Super League season, both Chennaiyin FC and Hyderabad FC would be would be more than eager to bag full three points.

Chennaiyin FC, managed by Csaba Laszlo (left), is unbeaten against Hyderabad FC, managed by Manuel Marquez (right), in the ISL.

Chennaiyin FC (CFC) and Hyderabad FC (HFC) have not had the best of results in the last couple of matches of the 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL). While Chennaiyin has had two draws: a 2-2 result with East Bengal and a goalless one with ATK Mohun Bagan, Hyderabad had lost three consecutive matches: to Mumbai (0-2), Kerala Blasters (0-2) and FC Goa (1-2). When they clash at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim Stadium in Goa on Monday, the teams would be more than eager to bag full three points.

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The new year, the clubs believe, will provide positive tidings.

Chennaiyin has been guilty of not being able to score despite taking more shots at the target than most of its rival sides. Csaba Laszlo, the club’s head coach, however, expressed confidence that his team can turn things around. “Hopefully we can create the same amount of chances [like in earlier matches] we can score even more goals. I think to create chances is more difficult than to score in football. For us, it has been the other way around. I am really confident the boys will score. I am pleased with the way the boys are responding,” he said.

Hyderabad started as an unknown entity but played well with Indian players showing its potential. Now, the pressure is on Hyderabad as it has lost three matches on the trot and its head coach Manuel Marquez knows that the team can still sort things and come out with a better result.

He argued that in the league only Mumbai City FC, which has been outstanding so far, has qualified for the play-offs while among the rest, every team has a good chance to make it to the top 4.

“This moment, I think only Mumbai City has made it to the top four. ATK Mohun Bagan is a strong team especially in the second line of defence. [Against] all the other teams, you have an equal chance to win or lose. Moreover, if you look at the statistics we have been the team that has given the [opposition teams] the least number of chances to score."

He also admitted that the team depends more on striker Aridane Santana and that other players will have to score for the team to progress further.

Csaba revealed that captain Rafael Crivellaro would be a doubtful starter for the match after the ankle injury he sustained in the last match against ATK Mohun Bagan.

SQUADS:

CHENNAIYIN FC: Karanjit Singh, Vishal Kaith, Revanth BY, Samik Mitra, Eli Sabia, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Enes Sipovic, Lalchhuanmawia Fanai, Reagan Singh, Deepak Tangri, Aqib Nawab, Remi Aimol, Ganesan Balaji, Anirudh Thapa, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Rafael Crivellaro, Memo Moura, Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev, Edwin Vanspaul, Thoi Singh, Dhanpal Ganesh, Germanpreet Singh, Abhijit Sarkar, Sinivasan Pandiyan, Aman Chetri, Esmael Goncalves, Jakub Sylvestr, Rahim Ali

HYDERABAD FC: Subrata Paul, Laxmikant Kattimani, Manas Dubey, Lalbiakhlua Jongte, Chinglensana Singh, Odei Onaindia, Dimple Bhagat, Nikhil Prabhu, Sahil Panwar, Akash Mishra, Kynsailang Khongsit, Asish Rai, Adil Khan, Halicharan Narzary, Joao Victor, Laldanmawia Ralte, Lluis Sastre, Hitesh Sharma, Abhishek Halder, Sahil Tavora, Mark Zothanpuia, Mohamed Yasir, Nikhil Poojary, Souvik Chakrabarti, Sweden Fernandes, Aridane Santana, Fran Sandaza, Joel Chianese, Liston Colaco, Ishan Dey, Lalawmpuia, Rohit Danu

 

 

MATCH FACTS:

Date: January 4, 2021

Venue: GMC Stadium, Bambolin

Time: 7:30pm IST