Chennaiyin asst. coach says his team players are unhappy with just a point; Guimaraes thinks the draw is a fair result

WITH MATERAZZI SUSPENDED for the game, Assistant Coach Sabir Pasha took over his role in the technical area. Chennai had decent chances in the game to score at least two more but an outstanding Gomes in the Mumbai goal, made sure they did not concede just one.

On Chennaiyin FC's performance on the night, Pasha said to the press after the game,

"The players were really disappointed because after giving such a good performance it was really unlucky but they showed a lot of character”

Pasha continued, speaking about the how their approach should be for the remaining games in the league, said,

“We have to win matches to get in the semis and how many matches we have to win depends on how the other teams play but as I said earlier we have to win matches especially our home matches. We are a good side and we deserve to be at the top of the table. It is unfortunate that we are in this position but it is not late so it is not that bad and the way we are playing, if we carry on, then we have a great chance of getting in the semi-finals.”

Guimaraes failed to accept that the result had any luck involved and said to the reporters,

“I don’t think we were fortunate. I think we made adjustments after they scored and from that moment we started to play in their half. Of course, sometimes you get your back against the wall a little bit but it’s the risk you have to take. We knew that today’s game we cannot lose and I think that our game in the second half has put us in a good position"

The Costa Rican continued,

“We made these adjustments and we played very well, we got our chances and I think it’s fair, the draw, it’s a good point for us but for them maybe it’s not a good point but after playing the way we did in Kolkata and winning, coming here against the champions and getting this draw in the end… the confidence is really high in my team.”

Jeje Lalpekhlua headed the ball in for Chennaiyin's lone goal had a splendid game and Pasha acknowledged that saying

“Jeje is a great talent and Marco is using him in a great way and knows when to play him and when not and it is also the talent of the coach knowing how to use him, so Jeje delivers whenever Marco wants, so the combination of Marco and Jeje is great and I think Jeje is a great player but there is still a long way to go.”

About the goal that helped Mumbai get level, Guimaraes explained,

“Like I said we took some risks. First we put Jackichand Singh to open the pitch on the right side, so we get more and more width and then with Leo coming in we have more playing ball on the ground and we start to move the ball better in midfield and then we get more deep with Thiago up front, putting Sony on the left, so all the movements that we did were very good for the team.”

Pasha had to take over Coach Materazzi's position in the dug out as the Italian was suspended for a game due to disciplinary actions. On his entire experience, Coach Pasha shared,

“It’s part and parcel of being a coach and I am learning from Marco and it was great that he told me to monitor this match and I am thankful to him for giving me this opportunity.”

Get the latest in the world of Sports, Teams, and Players! Free Delivery to your Inbox.