AIFF Super Cup | We are approaching final with lot of excitement, says Sergio Lobera
ISL
FC Goa coach Sergio Lobera has said that the ISL runners-up team is approaching the Super Cup final with a lot of excitement just like the ISL final last month. On the other hand, Chennaiyin coach John Gregory has stated that his team is well aware of the Gaursâ strengths before the summit clash.
After failing to win the Indian Super League title last month, the Gaurs under the coaching of Sergio Lobera would step on the pitch at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, with the aim of defeating Chennaiyin FC and win the very second Super Cup title later in the evening today. The two teams had previously met the final of the 2015 edition of the ISL in which the team from Tamil Naduâs state capital was crowned champions.
"We are approaching this final in the same way we approached the last one - with a lot of excitement. We are working on the same path as we did in the last games. We have to be able to handle the emotions. We are doing nothing special. We just want to approach it with the right attitude," Sergio Lobera said at the press conference, reported Super Cup media team.
"They completely deserve to be in the final. They have been superior to the other teams. They have a very bad experience from the Hero ISL season. Tomorrow, we are facing a tough team who are similar to the old Chennaiyin team."
Goa had defeated the I-League champions Chennai City FC by 3-0 goals to qualify for the summit clash. The Gaurs coach said that the I-League team was a more offensive one and also said that every game will be different from the other one in the tournament.
"Every game is completely different. It's true that we beat the Hero I-League champions. But every game will be completely different. Chennai City
"In the last final, we played good football. We were the better team. But this is football. This time, we are working really well to approach this final. What we have to do is to keep playing this kind of football. Iâm sure we will do well in the final. We have to be able to handle the feelings and keep playing with the same idea that we have been doing in the last games."
On the other hand, after a terrible season in the ISL, Chennaiyin FC is having a great run in Bhubaneswar. In the last game, they managed to get the better of ATK by 2-0 goals to make it to the final game. However, Chennai-based ISL clubâs coach John Gregory has said that the team would start as the underdogs and the Gaurs are the favourites to lift the title this evening.Â
"We start as the underdogs in the final. I believe FC Goa are the favourites. We are pleased to be in the final. We have worked incredibly hard to reach here. We've beaten two teams that made the semi-finals of this season's Hero ISL but this will be a big test for us. Now that we're in the final, there is only one thought - to win it," the Chennaiyin coach said.
"FC Goa have come into the Hero Super Cup and taken it very seriously. We are well aware of Goa's qualities. Even without Edu Bedia, they outclassed Chennai City FC. It will be interesting for us to see who is left out for that line-up, with Bedia coming back. We know we are in for a really tough game. For me, they have been outstanding and great to watch this season. I have enjoyed watching them. Sergio Lobera has done a terrific job.â
After getting suspended from the final game because of a number of bookings against his name, the Chennaiyin FC will have to step onto the pitch without Christopher Herd in the final on Saturday.Â
"Unfortunately we are without Chris Herd tomorrow, who misses out through suspension. But we do have a lot of quality in our side and I am sure we will cope and do well. Herd and Dhanpal Ganesh had a fantastic match against ATK in the semi-finals and we looked really strong down the middle. He will be a big miss," explained John Gregory.
"Coro (Ferran Corominas), for them, is a very important player. He has continued his fine
