Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle expressed his frustration after a 2-2 draw against Odisha FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai in the ongoing Indian Super League on Thursday. After a goalless first half, Wilmar Jordan Gil scored a brace to give a 2-0 lead to his team.
When it seemed that Marina Machans was in a shoo-in position to bag all three points, Dori got one back for the visitors in the 80th minute. In the stoppage time, Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Nawaz scored an own goal.
The home team had 37% possession and took five shots on target.
“The boys were absolutely brilliant (tonight). We knew Odisha FC should retain a little bit of possession, but they didn’t really threaten us. They’d counter-attacked in the first half one or two times, but nothing of any note, with a few chances to get in front,” Coyle stated at the post-match press conference.
“I think probably a draw was fair at half-time. In the second half, we came out and scored two unbelievable goals. We could have scored a few more. Jordan (Gil) hit the post at 2-0 to make it 3-0. (Later) Jordan needed to square it to try to play Daniel (Chima Chukwu) in. He maybe took it himself that time (as well).”
“My frustration and my disappointment obviously is not getting the three points. But again, and this is the thing that’s a frustration for all coaches in the league,” the head coach shared further.
Meanwhile, Colombian forward Wilmar Jordan made a return to the team after recovering from injury and scored two goals for the team. Coyle showered praise on the striker for hitting the ground running on his return and also praised Connor Shields.
“We had fit and healthy Jordan playing because when Jordan was on his scoring run, doing really well, and then he had trouble with some thigh injury, and the medical staff tried to manage him as best they could, but ultimately it was getting too much, that’s why he missed some games.”
“But we got him fit and healthy, and you see tonight what Jordan can bring with, and Connor (Shields)’s running power and his desire. He was obviously captain tonight again, and he has immense pride because he loves the club, I think he produced a real captain’s performance. (It was), inspirational, not only in the runs but in all the other work he does. I mean, he ran and worked his socks off,” Coyle commented.
Chennaiyin FC will next take on Mohammedan SC at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Wednesday.
