ISL 2023-24: We let everybody down – Chennaiyin FC’s Owen Coyle after loss against Hyderabad FC

Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle admitted they let everybody down after their 1-0 loss in the 19th match week of the ongoing Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.

When it looked like that both teams would share a point, Sajad Hussain Parray scored in the 89th minute to give a thumping win to Hyderabad. With this win, the Nizams registered their maiden victory of the season.

In fact, Marina Machans dominated the possession with 68.2% and took seven shots on target but failed to capitalise on their chances.

“Well, obviously, first and foremost the result is, I mean, I can’t apologize enough to the fans who have turned out to see us losing the game tonight. I think ultimately, we missed big chances. We create so many chances, (but) we don’t take them,” stated Coyle at the post-match press conference.

He continued, “To be fair to Hyderabad FC, they stuck to their guns, with everybody back behind the ball and they’ve got some quick boys like (Abdul) Rabeeh and they were quick on the counter-attack. So, that was the game plan anyway.”

If Chennaiyin FC had managed to win this game, they would have gone into the top-six in the ISL standings but they could not grab their opportunity. Coyle lamented the missed chance and felt they were not at their best.

“We let everybody down tonight (Saturday). It was an unbelievable opportunity to go into the top six tonight,” he sighed.

He added, “And it was a great opportunity against a team that is down at the bottom, having beaten the top team (Odisha FC), last week. So that’s, I mean, I’m so frustrated and they, I think the fans, the owners, I think everybody’s been let down badly today.”

Addressing the late goal from Parray, Coyle said, “It only takes one mistake, which was to offer another free-kick to the back post and you find yourself 1-0 down.”

Chennaiyin FC will next take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan Stadium, Kolkata on 31st March.