Clifford Miranda: Chennaiyin are a team we would have wanted to avoid

The Gaurs interim head coach was wary of the threat posed by their playoffs opponents.

FC Goa face Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai in the first leg of the first semi-final of Indian Super League. Goa, the league leaders, will be hoping to outclass Owen Coyle’s side in the first leg of the tie. Ahead of the match, the Gaurs' interim coach Clifford Miranda, along with defender Carlos Pena addressed the media.

About The Game

Clifford Miranda says, for him, this moment is all about how the team plays and he asserted that it should not be about him. “To be honest, this is not about me, this moment. This is about the club. The club is bigger than anything else, bigger than me, bigger than everything. So, for me, this moment is about how the club plays, how the team wins and how it performs in this match – in the two legs of the first semi-final." [KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] "For me, it is not about any individual. It should never be about me. It should be about the team and players. It is important for Indian coaches to do well. To be honest, winning this match doesn't determine how well I do or how I badly, in terms of Indian coaches," he added. “That is work over a period of time that determines. One match will not put me right up there. It is the kind of dedication, determination and the detail that you have in your work, which is the most important thing. When I say me, I mean all Indian coaches. That is something that is the need of the hour. If you learn the foundation properly, there is a big chance of succeeding as far as FC Goa is concerned,” Clifford Miranda stated.

Facing Chennaiyin Before

FC Goa had eased past Chennaiyin on the previous occasions when they both met. However, Clifford Miranda insists that will not have any bearing on the outcome of the semi-final. “To be honest, if we go about history, we have lost a final against Chennaiyin in the second edition. That is past. I don't believe in past results and that past experiences will have any bearing on this game." "Similarly, we played Chennaiyin twice and beat them twice. What happened in those two games will have no effect on Chennai. This is a brand new game. This is a semi-final, this is about two legs, this is the first leg. So, what happened in the past will have no advantage for either of the teams.”

Players' Perspective

Miranda also believes that the players know what is expected of them. “The team has been put together for last three years. They already know how to play, as they are professional players and are dedicated. Not just good players, good human beings as well. They know what is expected of them. These players know themselves, what is required of them,"  he said before explaining that he will give little details to help improve their performance. Few would have expected Chennaiyin to reach the semi-finals of the Indian Super League. The side have defied odds to achieve the improbable. Clifford Miranda says Chennaiyin were one team they would have wanted to avoid. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] Further, Carlos Pena too spoke highly of their semi-final opponents saying, "Their team is one of the top teams in the league. But, they changed their head coach and they have proved a lot. We know the semi-final, it will be tough. We respect and know that they have quality players and a strong team." Clifford Miranda reiterated the defender's thoughts saying, "As Pena has just mentioned, Chennaiyin are the most difficult team. In my opinion, they are one team we would have wanted to avoid. They are the team who have improved most in the entire league." "We alongside ATK and Bengaluru were always there in the top three or top four. But, this team, they were right down there. In 12 games, they have accumulated 24 points to put themselves right up there among the top four. They possibly could have been in the top three," he added. "For me, (they are) a very dangerous team. A team that is unbeaten in last eight games. Scored 21 goals in last eight games - six wins, two draws. It is one team not just us, but many would have wanted to avoid. Tomorrow’s game is going to be very tough. We will play our natural game. The one that takes us closer to winning a match," concluded Clifford Miranda.

Team News

Seriton Fernandes and Brandon Fernandes, both will return to the lineup after missing the previous game.

Head-To-Head

Both teams have a rich history in the league and have played each other 15 times. FC Goa have had the better of the Marina Machans and have won eight games, including a double over them this season. Chennaiyin FC have been victorious in just six games. However, they have upset the Gaurs many times in the playoffs. This fixture has ended in a stalemate just once. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News | Article Continues Below"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Predicted Lineup

Nawaz, Seriton, Fall, Pena, Mandar, Jahouh, Lenny, Manvir, Boumous, Brandon, Corominas.

Broadcast

The match will commence on Saturday 7:30 PM. The match will be telecast live on the Star Sports Network, Hotstar and Jio TV.