Owen Coyle: ATK were clinical and that’s why they are with the trophy

The Chennaiyin FC head coach also stressed that he feels the Marina Machans were the better team on Saturday night.

ATK created history by becoming the first side to win the Indian Super League title thrice, as they beat two-time champions Chennaiyin FC 3-1. Following the game, Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle interacted in the post-match press conference.

The 53-year-old spoke at length regarding the Indian midfielders in his side. “Germanpreet (Singh) played very well. He was terrific, but had to come off due to an injury. Those sometimes, are the decisions you’ve got to make. Edwin (Vanspaul) came and performed well. We have terrific Indian midfield players - (Anriudh) Thapa, Edwin, Germanpreet. If I had to pick two from three there’s absolutely no problem."

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The Scotsman rued missed chances and felt that the scoreline doesn’t do justice to how well his side performed. “With 70% possession the game should have been 0-2 in the first five minutes. Ultimately, at this level if you don’t take your chances, they’ll come back to punish you. Credit to ATK for winning, but please don’t anybody tell me that they were the better team. Because, if you know anything about football, we got behind the ball, we were organized, trying to make it difficult."

“My disappointment is for how much they put into the game. We didn’t take our chances and they were good chances. We gave away from our point of view, soft goals - not the first one, that’s a wonderful finish. Please don’t tell me we weren’t the better team because far and away we were the team that played better football. That’s what happens when it comes to a one-off game, it’s not a two-legged tie or a league campaign," Owen Coyle added.

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Chennaiyin FC were set for another disappointing campaign after the side put up poor performances at the start of the season. The appointment of Owen Coyle sparked new life into the team, as they steamrolled their way into the playoffs and overpowered table-toppers FC Goa in the semi-finals. “My disappointment is because of how much we put into the game. These boys have been a revelation, I’ve loved every second of working with them, they gave everything they can. There’s one or two that can perform better, but over the body of work tonight, we were the team that carried the whole thing."

“Because the game was set with ATK then retreating and having everybody back behind the ball. Then we have played with a lot of space. But, that being said, we still had some wonderful opportunities. The first goal was the big deciding factor in the game, it gives us something to hold onto. Should’ve been 0-2 up in the first five minutes, the football we played was outstanding."

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The tactician also assessed Chennaiyin FC's performance and was open to state what they lacked on Saturday night against ATK. "I think when we look at it tonight there was two things from our perspective. We weren’t clinical enough with the great chances we had. Secondly, I felt leaving their first goal which was a wonderful finish, the others were certainly avoidable."

“I’m not one of those who come in and start crying because we lost the game. I saw a wonderful league with good players, teams, terrific coaches and it’s getting better. My disappointment tonight is for the group. But, ultimately, at the highest level, if you’re not clinical and you give a soft goal, you’re going to get punished and that’s what happened.”

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Finally, Owen Coyle had a few words for his players as the season comes to a close. “I told them I was obviously very disappointed, but as a club they showed their class. They will be disappointed and if they weren’t then I will be angry because I want them to feel that. When you’re disappointed, you do one or two things. You feel sorry for yourself or you pick yourself up in the morning and you’re ready to go again and improve."

“Their goalkeeper was outstanding, he made four or five unbelievable saves. You have to be clinical if you want to be champions and ATK were clinical. That’s why they are with the trophy and we’re not," Owen Coyle concluded.