5 things Chennaiyin FC need to do to win the Super Cup final

The Marina Machans are looking to salvage some pride by winning the tournament on Saturday.

After a disastrous season in the ISL, Chennaiyin FC found themselves looking to the Super Cup to salvage some of the pride that they had lost over the course of the league campaign. This is exactly what John Gregory’s side have done.

With their victory over ATK, the Marina Machans find themselves against ISL heavy hitters, FC Goa in the final of the competition.

We at Khel Now have compiled a list of five things that Chennaiyin need to do to win the title.

5. Continue their defensive dominance

Inigo Calderon terminated his contract with the Marina Machans midway through the ISL season, leaving the side lacking quality and experience in defence, a flaw that was capitalized upon in the league. However, Mailson Alves and Eli Sabia have come into their own in the Super Cup, conceding only one goal all campaign long.

The duo will have their work cut out for them as they come up against one of the best attacking sides in the country in FC Goa.

4. Dhanpal Ganesh must shut down the FC Goa midfield

Dhanpal Ganesh spent the entire ISL season out through injury. However, the Tamil midfielder has now started two games on the trot for Gregory’s men and has begun to show the fans of the club just what they have been missing over the last few months. In FC Goa, he will be coming up against a side that enjoys playing out from the back and transitioning through midfield.

Goa plays a 4-2-3-1, with the full backs overloading the opponent’s half during attacks, playing the ball into the feet of the attackers. This is where Ganesh will come in. His knack of sharp interceptions can stop these balls from going through.

3. Anirudh Thapa’s versatility will be vital in anything Chennaiyin FC can produce

The 20-year-old wonder kid was one of the few positives in Chennaiyin FC’s dismal domestic season and his quality is really coming to the fore in the Super Cup. Thapa has scored two goals in three games so far for his side and has pulled strings in midfield with his incisive passing and sharp turns. He will be instrumental in playing a skillful Raphael Augusto into good attacking positions.

ALSO READ

• Why Super Cup final is FC Goa’s shot at redemption following ISL disappointment

• Grassroots football development observes impressive progress in Meghalaya

• Steve Coppell questions Super Cup's credibility after I-League mass pullout

2. Chennaiyin must target Goa in the air

Both teams play similar systems in terms of formations, but could not be more different in terms of styles. FC Goa revel in keeping the ball on the ground and very rarely take the direct route. Chennaiyin on the other hand, have found great joy in aerial attacks and particularly in set plays. This could be their way in with FC Goa, who are not accustomed to route one football. Balls looking for the head of C.K. Vineeth and the other lofty members of the Marina Machans could give the side some joy.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

1. Chennaiyin FC must keep Coro quiet

The top scorer of the ISL for two seasons on the trot and the current top scorer of the Super Cup will be hoping to fire Goa to the title. With four goals this season, Chennaiyin FC would do well to stifle the Spaniard, lest they are taken apart by his quality. Coro has given FC Goa the x-factor that they seemed to have been missing in seasons past and it if they are not careful, it could turn into a very long night for the CFC defence.