ISL 2019-20 | Have set target of two trophies in five seasons, reveals Anirudh Thapa

ISL 2019-20 | Have set target of two trophies in five seasons, reveals Anirudh Thapa

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Chennaiyin FC midfielder Anirudh Thapa has stated that the club has set themselves a target of winning at least two trophies in five years as they are starting a rejuvenated stint following a poor season. The Marina Machans would be kicking off their campaign against the Gaurs on October 23.

Chennai would be coming to the new season with a lot to prove. After winning the championship two years back, John Gregory led the side to the worst ever finish by a defending champion in the tournament as they ended with just nine points from 18 games where they could win just twice in the entire season.

However, a good outing in the Super Cup, following that, which saw the side going all the way to the finals before eventually losing to FC Goa, helped Gregory land a new contract with the side. And the franchise has pretty helped him in re-building a strong squad.

The side has brought in six new proven players in their previous leagues to help the promising domestic youngsters that the side already has in the likes of Anirudh Thapa, Jerry Lalrinzuala, and Germanpreet Singh, and Laldinliana Renthlei.

The coach has now also admitted that he would be depending on the domestic products more than he did last season and he would be having the likes of Brazilian Rafael Crivellaro to form an exciting central midfield partnership with Thapa. CFC’s forward line is also quite mouthwatering with the likes of Nerijus Valskis and Andre Schembri exhibiting their scoring prowess during the pre-season games.

At the back, CFC have roped in the experienced Lucian Goian, who would ensure that the two-time champions don’t concede goals in abundance once again. The talented Lallianzuala Chhangte, Vishal Kaith (goalkeeper) have now been regular names in the national team as well. And Thapa has been of the opinion that the side has now a single-minded focus on the title now. 

“We as a team are not expecting to not repeat what we did last season. We have set a platform of two trophies in five seasons for us, so we can’t drop below that standard,” said Thapa, reported Sportstar.

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