Chennaiyin, Goa set to begin new era with different coaches

Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa step into a new era of sorts when they begin their campaign in the fourth edition of Indian Super League (ISL) with a game at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Sunday.

The two coaches - John Gregory(ChennaiyinFC)andSergio Lobera (Goa) sounded upbeat about their preparations and said the pre-season had been very good and the players were looking forward to the first game.

Gregory, who has taken over from Italian Marco Materazzi, said the team had prepared well and would put up a good show while stressing the importance to start well.

“We are in pretty good shape.. We have 25 players in the squad.. Unfortunately, we had lost four players away for three weeks which disrupted our plans.. It is about being able to do what you do in the training ground in the match.”

Gregory said 21-year old midfielder Germanpreet Singh, who took a knock during the AFC qualifier against Myanmar, may not start tomorrow’s game, but hoped he would be available for the November 23 encounter against NorthEast United FC.

“We have a 25-man full squad fromwhichwecanpickthestarting XI.. Germanpreet came back from national team with a little bit of a knock.. He may not make a start in tomorrow’s game.. Hope we can have him back for the second match,” he said.

The Goa team, which is rebuilding after the exit of the Zico as coach and a poor run in the 2016 edition, would be aiming for a good start.

Coach Lobera said he was looking forward to the new seasonafterthegoodpre-season and added he was happy with the composition of the team. The Spaniard said it was important for the players to play a style of football that was suited to them and would bring the results.

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