Owen Coyle feels defensive errors led to team’s loss against Kerala Blasters FC

Chennaiyin FC’s head coach Owen Coyle admits defensive errors led to the team’s 3-0 loss against Kerala Blasters FC in the ongoing Indian Super League at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on Sunday. 

After no team could find the back of the net in the first half, Jesus Jimenez, Noah Sadaoui, and Kannoly Praveen scored for the home team in the second half.

The Marina Machans took two shots on target but Coyle reckons they could not grab their chances to equalize.

“Kerala Blasters FC ran out as the deserved winners in the end, but there were huge moments in the game that could have been fantastic chances to get in front. We had a great chance to equalise, and we had some wonderful chances in the game,” Coyle said during the post-match press conference.

Coyle feels the mistakes they made in the second half led to the team’s downfall and made it easier for the opposition.

“At 0-0 at half-time, we looked well-placed to go on and achieve a positive result. Kerala Blasters FC were delighted with the goals they scored, but defensively, from our point of view, the goals were so avoidable. That’s quite tough to take, especially when you consider Kerala Blasters FC have some fantastic football players in Noah (Sadaoui), (Adrian) Luna, (Jesus) Jimenez, and (Kwame) Peprah. The young kid did well, so they have very, very good attacking players. But what we did, I felt, was make it easy for them with the mistakes we made in the build-up to the goals,” he stated.

Coyle’s team is placed in sixth in the table with 12 points from nine matches after three wins, as many losses and draws.

“We’ve now played six games on the road and three at home, so it would have been nice to have picked up points to put us in a really good spot for capitalising on the home games. But ultimately, we’ve not.”

“So, there’s a lot to learn from and a lot to look at. We’ll make sure to come back better and stronger, which we’ll do. We’ll be ready for that. Again, we’re facing another tough away game, but we’ll get ready for it,” Coyle said.

Chennaiyin FC will next take on Mohun Bagan Super Giant at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on Saturday.