Defending Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC finally put an end to their five-game winless run by defeating FC Pune City 2-0 in Chennai on Tuesday. The Super Machans' assistant manager Syed Sabir Pasha and player Mehrajuddin Wadoo faced the press after the team's victory.
Chennaiyin midfielder Raphael Augusto was on top form and was too difficult for the Pune players to handle. The Brazilian claimed an assist and also played a significant role in the team's other goal.
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Also Read: ISL 2016: Chennaiyin FC 2-0 Pune City - Player ratings
"We played him as a number ten. He has so much talent, you cannot control him. To get the best out of him, you need to give him a free role. If you fix him in a particular role and give him a job to do, he's restricted. Today he had a free role, he fitted in really well and changed the game. The Pune defenders were worrying about him all the time. I think it's the best role for him," the Chennaiyin FC assistant manager said about Augusto.
Second goal all important, says Pasha
Jeje gave Chennai the lead in their previous encounter with the Stallions, however, a goal from striker Anibal Zurdo equalised the score. This time, the Marco Materazzi managed side made sure that they sealed the game by scoring a second goal. The 44-year old assistant coach emphasised on the importance of the second goal and sealing the game in the post-match press conference.
"Second goal is the all important one in games like these. One-goal lead means nothing when we have opponents like (Mohammed) Sissoko, (Jesus) Tato. One strike can change everything. So the second goal was very important to seal the game. Hats off to the strikers. We're getting goals every match. We just have to ensure that we stay compact. Whatever we're doing in the first half we need to seal it," he said.
Materazzi stressing on the importance of being compact
Chennaiyin FC will have to build their momentum now if they want to retain their title. There are only four more games to go and the reigning champions cannot afford to drop any more points. Chennaiyin currently sit fifth on the points table and will have to win their upcoming matches in order to climb up the table.
Pasha was asked about what the team has to do to build momentum and win matches, “We have to take three points. We need to keep the momentum going once we start winning. We have to stay more compact. Marco has been stressing that to the players. They didn't do that then (3-1 defeat to Kerala Blasters). But tonight, once we scored the goals, Pune had no chance of making a comeback. We sealed the game. That's what we have to keep doing,” Sabir Pasha said.
Also Read: Chennaiyin FC vs FC Pune City Match Report
Chennaiyin full-back Mehrajuddin Wadoo expressed his happiness in winning the match after going winless for five consecutive games, “I think the morale is really good. We were very desperate to win this game and it's a good victory. Everyone gave their best, everyone tried to contribute. And we got three points,” Wadoo said.
Fatigued, but positive, says Wadoo
The Chennai player is the only player in the team to start every game so far and Wadoo. The former Mohun Bagan player has looked tired at times, but Wadoo insisted that he wants to play every game even if he feels tired.
“I've started every game, been playing since day one. In the ISL, the games are very close. The fixtures are very tightly packed. So yeah, I am a little fatigued, but I'm very positive. I want to start every game. I hope in the coming days I will get more recovery time and be back fresh,” the Chennai full-back told the press.
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