10-Aug-2024 06:25 PM
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Jamshedpur, Aug 10 (Reporter) Chennaiyin FC will be aiming to end their
Durand Cup 2024 campaign on a positive note against Assam Rifles FT at
the JRD Tata Sports Complex
here on Sunday.
The fresh-faced Marina Machans, who largely fielded a team of young
Indian players, lost to Indian Army FT and Jamshedpur FC narrowly in
their first two group matches, despite providing a gritty fight.
Although Assam Rifles also lost their previous two games, assistant
coach Noel Wilson is wary of the threat they pose.
“Assam Rifles are a good team, defensively strong. They have kept
working despite losing their two previous games. They are a tough team
but, with all due respect to them, we, as Chennaiyin FC, have to go on
the field and play our game and do what we need to do to win the
game,” Wilson said.
Vincy Barretto scored the team’s first goal in the competition against
Jamshedpur FC with a scorching effort from a distance. The young
Indian, along with the likes of Solaimalai R and Vishal R, has been
one of Chennaiyin’s bright sparks in the Durand Cup, which, as per
Wilson, has yielded plenty of positives.
“One of the positives has been to see the reserve team players trying
to match the senior players. You watch the youngsters performing
alongside the first-team players and you get a good feeling.
Especially in the last match against Jamshedpur, I thought every
player worked hard on the field. Every player fought,” Wilson
remarked.
“That’s why I always tell the reserve players that they have to keep
working hard and they have to keep proving, in training and during the
match, that they have the quality to fit in the senior team. Even if
two or three guys can go and do that, it is a great success.”
Now in its 133rd edition, the Durand Cup is Asia’s oldest club
football competition and the traditional curtain raiser for the Indian
domestic season...////...