Kathmandu: Chennaiyin FC will conclude their debut AFC Cup group stage campaign with a must-win clash against Nepals Manang Marshyangdi Club at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) complex here on Wednesday.
To progress to the 2019 AFC Cup knockout stage, Chennaiyin must beat Manang and hope Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka drop points against Minerva Punjab in the group’s other game to be played at the same time in Guwahati.
Going into the final group match, Chennaiyin are in second with eight points while Abahani are at the top with 10 points. An Abahani victory will take them to 13 points, out of Chennaiyin’s reach.
However, if Abahani draw against Minerva and if Chennaiyin beat Manang, both sides will finish on 11 points. In that eventuality, Chennaiyin will finish on top and qualify for the AFC Cup inter-zone semifinals, owing to a better head-to-head record against the Bangladeshi side.
The Chennaiyin backline will be boosted by Brazilian defender Eli Sabia’s return from a one-match suspension, which saw him miss the 1-1 draw against Minerva last week.
Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, Chennaiyin head coach John Gregory underlined the importance of the task that lay ahead for his boys. “Nothing less than a win matters now. The focus is on getting three points and hoping the other result goes our way in the match between Abahani and Minerva. Manang lost 0-5 to Abahani in their previous game and will thus have a point to prove against us. We know the pressure is on us, but the boys are prepared for it,” Gregory said.
The match will be played on an artificial turf at the ANFA complex in Kathmandu.
Chennaiyin’s English coach also commented on the role the pitch might possibly play in affecting the proceedings. IANS