India are damaging their talents, Csaba Laszlo bats for longer season

The Marina Machans' head coach was content with his side's approach to the game.

It was late disappointment once again for Chennaiyin FC, as a late penalty conceded by Vishal Kaith saw the spoils shared against NorthEast United. The resurgent Lallianzuala Chhangte scored twice for the Marina Machans, while Manuel Lanzarote scored his first goal for the side, in what was a very exciting 3-3 draw in the Indian Super League. Chennaiyin head coach Csaba Laszlo addressed the media after the match.

Thoughts on performance

Laszlo has often cut a frustrated figure after matches this season. The Romanian manager was surprisingly candid, as he reviewed the game against NEUFC. “This is not too easy because at half time we were 2-1 down, but we made three gifts for the opponent. This is painful, but I am also proud of the boys, the way they managed the game, how they played football. We have to look (to win) the last game.”

Half-time team talk

Chennaiyin FC went into the dressing room at half-time trailing by a goal, after Lallianzuala Chhangte’s early opener was cancelled out in the first half. However, the Marina Machans came out all guns blazing in the second half, scoring twice.

“I told (them) tactically what they had to do better and they followed. I think also, that for this reason, the team is alive. The team wants to win and they want to show that we are not a team who just gives up.”

“In the last game, I want to see the same team with the same will and the same pride on the pitch.”

A word on Chhangte

With three goals in two games for Lallianzuala Chhangte, the Indian attacker looks to have shaken off the cobwebs that haunted him in front of goal in the early part of the season.Csaba Laszlo spoke about the work he has been doing with the young winger.

“I know Chhangte. We have worked a lot with him and I think the biggest problem for (him) is that the season is going to end. Now, the work that we have put in, he is showing that it was in the right direction.

“But, the problem is that, now in India, you stop the football for I don’t know how many months and now again the players have to fight back to come back to football. They are damaging their talents.”

Final game against Kerala Blasters

Chennaiyin FC play Kerala Blasters in their final game of the season. Both sides have dropped out of the race for the top four and will be playing for pride. Csaba Laszlo asserted that he would set out to win the game and end the campaign on a high.

“We have to go for three points. I hope that we can win the last game.”