Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle admitted they were careless after a 2-2 draw against Mohammedan SC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata in the ongoing Indian Super League on Wednesday. 

The Marina Machans had a 2-0 lead after Laldinpuia and Lukar Brambilla scored in the 10th and 49th minute respectively. However, Mohammedan SC bounced back with Manvir Singh scoring in the 95th minute.

Subsequently, Lalremsanga Fanai scored from a spot kick deep in the stoppage time to help his team share a point with the visitors.

“Again, we’re all frustrated, and disappointed. Certainly, to finish with a point, I think we merited all three,” Coyle said in the post-match press conference.

“We’re very comfortable in the game. Mohammedan SC didn’t even threaten. We should have put the game to bed at 3-0 with some really good opportunities,” he added.

Speaking on the positives, Coyle said the players gave their full effort. 

“Players gave maximum effort. Very good score too. Could have added to that. So that’s the frustration…But some really good individual performances. Some really good play. Good goals, ” he said.

The Scottish manager said they were careless and thus had to pay the price. The gaffer added they should have cleared the lines and is hopeful that young players will learn with experience.

“We were careless. It comes down to individual error. We should have cleared the lines. The ball comes back into the box… And that’s the bit that… I mean, a lot of young players there. That’s the bit they need to understand. The game management. To understand, to see the game through,” Coyle said.

Chennaiyin FC is in 10th place with 17th place and they are six points behind playoffs places.

“Had we won, we’d be right in the mix. We’re not far off, but we need to make sure we’re not gifting goals because that’s what we did,” he explained.

The Marina Machans next take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant on Tuesday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.