"It is only a matter of time" - head coach Thangboi Singto after Hyderabad FC's narrow defeat to Chennaiyin FC at home

Hyderabad FC crashed to a narrow 0-1 loss to Chennaiyin FC at the Maidaan in Gachibowli on Monday. This was Chennaiyin FC's first win of the season and the third consecutive defeat for the Nawabs. Hyderabad are reeling at the bottom of the table with no points to their name.

The Marina Machans got ahead in the 7th minute with a controversial goal from Connor Shields in a run of play. Petteri Pennanen was clearly fouled but the referee decided to turn a blind eye.

Speaking to the media after the game, Hyderabad's head coach Thangboi Singto admitted that it was challenging to end up on the losing side despite being the better side on paper.

"If you look at the statistics, we did extremely well today," said Singto. "We played brilliant football but could not end up on the winning side. We had more shots on goal and possession than Chennaiyin today. Where we lacked was in the final third, and that is where we have to work hard. If you play good football, but cannot score goals, it will not matter much. However, I have full confidence in our players; it is only a matter of time."

The head coach added:

"We tried our best to break the deadlock today but things did not go our way. Our attackers tried their best to hold play and then convert their chances, but somehow we could not find the finishing touch. We can certainly work a bit on our transitions while defending and press further. Now, we have to go and work hard to prepare for the Mumbai game. They are perhaps the best team in the league, and they are also playing in the AFC Champions League, but we will be prepared."

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"Coming to Hyderabad and winning is a great feeling" - coach Owen Coyle on Chennaiyin FC's win

Chennaiyin FC's manager Owen Coyle was ecstatic after winning his first game of the season after three losses. He gave full credit to a Hyderabad side that managed to come close to equalising on more than one occasion.

Coyle's tactics of pushing the Marina Machans to play in a defensive formation after scoring early, irked the crowd at the Maidaan in Gachibowli, who expected a free-flowing style of football even from the visitors.

Chennaiyin FC committed 30 fouls in this game and picked up six yellow cards. Hyderabad, in comparison, gave away just 6 fouls and picked up two yellows.

"Look, we have always been a physical side," said Coyle, while addressing the media."We play to our strengths, and I am extremely pleased with the way our boys performed today. It is not easy coming away from home and putting in such a dominating shift, but everyone- right from the top to the bottom- was in good nick today."

"It does not matter what the statistics say. At the end of the game, we have ended up having the most important stat ever- more goals than our opponents. Coming to Hyderabad and winning is a good feeling, for sure."