ISL 2023-24: We should not be leaving here having lost the game: Chennaiyin FC’s Owen Coyle after loss against East Bengal FC

Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle feels they didn’t deserve to lose the match against East Bengal FC in the 17th match week of the ongoing Indian Super League at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Monday.

Both teams failed to score in the opening half but Nandhakumar Sekar broke the deadlock as he scored in the 65th minute of the game.

Meanwhile, the Marina Machans had 47.9% possession and took four shots on target. Furthermore, the visitors registered 10 shots off target but could not breach East Bengal’s defense.

“Obviously, I think what you’ve got to do is analyse the whole game, and there’s no doubt that we should not be leaving here having lost the game. We were excellent tonight,” stated Coyle at the post-match press conference.

Lamenting the missed opportunities, he added, “We came to a magnificent stadium and a real footballing city, against a very prestigious and big club, and we totally dominated the game. We were outstanding, given even the injuries we had. But what you’ve got to do when you’re in top-end games, you have to take your chances, you have to get in front. And, we didn’t do that with some wonderful opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Sekar and East Bengal FC had the rub of the green on their side as the ball was deflected into the back of the net.

Sharing his thoughts on the goal, Coyle said, “We made an error from the corner. And I think it was Nandha, he set his shot. And sometimes when you’re not carrying that lock back lock that you need, it’s deflected off Bikash and over Debjit (Majumder) because Debjit had it covered. So a little bit, obviously the deflection, and a little bit of luck for Nanda (led to the goal).”

Coyle added they will need to move on from their loss. “We’ll lick our wounds, pick ourselves up and get ready to go again.”

Chennaiyin FC will next take on Odisha FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Sunday.