“I am ready for tough challenges in the remainder of season”: Chennaiyin FC head coach Pasha

Chennaiyin FC head coach Pasha looks at positives, says he is ready for tough challenges in the remainder of the season: “My first task would be to instill confidence among the players and bring out their best on the field,” says Chennaiyin FC’s new head coach Syed Sabir Pasha ahead of the two-time champions’ crucial 2021-22 Hero India Super League match against Odisha FC at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa on Wednesday.

Pasha, who replaced Chennaiyin FC’s Montenegrin head coach Bozidar Bandovic last week, will be in full charge of this team for the first time against Odisha on Wednesday.

“It’s a very short time to put all your philosophies into play. So, I think we have to be sensible and keep that in mind it’s a challenge. According to the situation, we have to mold and that is where lies the quality of a coach. What we will try to do is to get the best out of the players,” Pasha continued in the virtual pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

"I am ready for tough challenges in the remainder of season": Chennaiyin FC head coach Pasha, All you need to know about CFC vs OFC — *“I am ready for tough challenges in the remainder of the season”: Chennaiyin FC head coach Pasha, All you need to know about CFC vs OFC*

The approach of the Coach:

“My approach will be going positive for this match. We will be very strong and there will be changes in whatever we do.”

Chennaiyin FC is currently placed eighth in the standings with 19 points from 16 games and they need to come out with only positive results in their remaining four games to give themselves a mathematical shot at the play-offs. The Marina Machans will be looking to bounce back when they take on Odisha.

Having beaten Odisha 2-1 in the first meeting earlier this season, Chennaiyin enjoys an edge over their next rivals. Pasha, however, warned his players against any sort of complacency. “Odisha is a good team; they have shown that in other matches. The players are very strong when it comes to the ball. They are a very good attacking side. So, I think we will have to be strong defensively, the middle battle has to be won” Pasha said.

Top 4 Chance:

The 49-year-old head coach further said that he believes his side still has a realistic chance of finishing in the top four and it’s a very close contest between all the teams.

“Yes, we have to (qualify for the play-offs). I think we are not far away from being in the top four. It’s a difficult scenario but it’s not impossible. The first thing that is important is that the confidence of the players has to come on the field, their natural ability should come on the field. That will be the first task I have to set right. Once I do that everything will fall in line,” the head coach concluded.