We are going to be far better next season, asserts Owen Coyle

Owen Coyle also praised his boys for working hard throughout the tournament.

Chennaiyin FC’s 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign came to a sad end after they lost their knockout fixture against FC Goa by a 2-1 scoreline at the JLN Stadium in Goa on Saturday, 20 April 2024. During the post-match press conference, Owen Coyle spoke to the media, indicating that his players gave their utmost and the match should have gone to extra-time.

The tactician did an excellent job bringing Chennaiyin FC to the playoffs after a difficult start to the season. He was unhappy with a few decisions going against his side and did not hesitate to talk about those during the media interaction after the match.

Let’s have a look at the excerpts from the conversation with Owen Coyle:

Analysis

Providing his analysis of the knockout fixture, Owen Coyle clarified that his boys delivered a decent performance and the fixture should have seen extra-time. Coyle said, “My boys were excellent, they worked their socks off. Brandon Fernandes scored a wonderful, unbelievable second goal. But, it was avoidable, we made a mistake. We did the first one, so we were well in the game, with some opportunities. Goa got in front 2-0 and they’re an outstanding team as you know.

“At one point, I thought they would go on to win the (League Winners’) Shield this season, but they didn’t. We found our way back into the game at 2-1. In the second half, for me, the game certainly should have gone to extra-time. It’s the least we deserved. One clearance from under the bar and a couple of dangerous moments. For me, the ball was handled outside the box when it was going into the open goal and Crystal John’s five yards for it and never gave it. So, I’ll need to see it back. If I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to hold my hand up.”

“But, it certainly looked as if it was a clear handball outside the box. It probably resulted in a red card, I would imagine because it’s going clear into the goal. It wasn’t given, so we battled to the very end against a very good side. Always accepting that FC Goa would be dangerous on the counter-attack.

“Noah, I think he’s probably one of the best players in the league. Always going to be dangerous. The effort was there, the hard work, the organization, the shape. What we probably need to add for next year, moving forward, is a little bit of quality. If we do, we’re going to be a far better team. Which we will be anyway because of what we put in place for next season,” Owen Coyle added.

Becoming a better team

The head coach also expressed that his side will be far better next season after the work put in during the 2023-24 campaign. Owen Coyle elucidated, “We’re going to be far better than what we’ve been this season. But, there was an opportunity this year to take it further from the starting point that we had. So, I can never fault their effort. They were a hard-working group.

“Probably just need to make a better final decision in the final third. The positions we were in, were to get good crosses in the box. We never delivered those when we worked into it quite a lot. I think there are some bits we could have done better. Probably just needed a little bit more quality to see us over the line to win the game.”

“I thought the second half we forced it and tried to get the equalizer. Goa are always going to be dangerous, but we put an awful lot into the game against a very good side. I thought extra-time would have been fair. But, that’s the nature of football. It can be very cruel,” Owen Coyle concluded.

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