ISL 2017: Chennaiyin FC foreign preseason tour roundup
In preparation for the upcoming ISL season, Chennaiyin FC have been toiling hard in their pre-season. The Super Machans have travelled to Thailand for their training and have been in the country since October 11. Jeje Lalpekhlua and co. have so far played three practice games in Thailand; winning one and losing two along the way.
Chennaiyin FC will tomorrow play their final friendly before returning to India on November 2. Here are the basic statistics of Chennaiyin FC's training camp in Thailand.
Matches played: 3
Wins: 1
Goals scored: 4
Goals conceded: 5
Clean Sheets: 1
Here are the results
19th October: Chennaiyin FC 0-2 Air Force Central FC
23rd October: Chennaiyin FC 3-0 Bangkok Uited FC
25th October: Chennaiyin FC 1-3 Thai Port FC
After acclimatizing to the Thai conditions, Chennaiyin FC played their first match on October 19 against the top-flight club, Air Force Central FC. The match ended in the favour of the hosts with the Tamil Nadu based side losing 2-0.
The 2015 ISL winners, however, bounced back in style in their second game, and won it handsomely against Thai league giants, Bangkok United with a 3-0 scoreline.
Chennaiyin FC also lost the second game 3-1 against Thai Port FC with Jeje scoring a consolation goal for the Super Machans.
The main aim of these preseason games is not the results but it is based on getting the players back to the desired fitness levels and giving the new faces ample time to settle in.
Chennaiyin FC have an entirely new squad at their disposal courtesy of the Indian player's draft and the decision to retain just two players from the previous season. John Gregory will lead the Super Machans this season, taking over the reigns from Marco Materazzi. Gregory has also announced a new coaching staff for the side which includes the goalkeeping coach, Tony Warner along with assistant coaches Mark Lillis and Syed Sabir Pasha and sports scientist Niall Clark.
Chennaiyin FC squad for the 2017/18 ISL season:
Goalkeepers: Karanjit Singh, Pawan Kumar, Shahin Lal Meloli
Defenders: Dhanachandra Singh, Fulganco Cardozo, Henrique Sereno, Inigo Calderon, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Keenan Almeida, Mailson Alves, Sanjay Balmuchu
Midfielders: Anirudh Thapa, Bikramjit Singh, Dhanapal Ganesh, Francisco Fernandes, Germanpreet Singh, Jaime Gavilan, Raphael Augusto, Rene Mihelic, Thoi Singh
Forwards: Jeje, Gregory Nelson, Jude Nworuh, Mohammad Rafi
Chennaiyin FC will begin their ISL campaign on November 19 away from home against FC Goa.