Owen Coyle rues Chennaiyin FC’s ‘inconsistency’ after missing playoffs

Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle blamed the club’s inconsistent performances after missing playoffs. The Marina Machans suffered a 0-1 loss against Bengaluru FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Tuesday.

Rahul Bheke scored for the home team in the 37th minute to give all three points to the Blues, which helped the Blues book their spot in the playoffs of the ongoing season.

Out of 22 matches, Chennaiyin FC has managed six wins, as many draws and 10 losses in the ongoing season. 

“It’s a tight result. We certainly never deserved to lose that game with the best chances in the match. Wilmar Jordan Gil’s got a great head in the first half. Daniel Chima Chukwu’s got a great chance out with the other stuff that we had,” Coyle said in the post-match press conference.

Coyle lauded Rahul Bheke for his brilliant strike, which gave Bengaluru FC the crucial lead.

“It’s a great finish from Rahul Bheke. But it might have been a block in the buildup; that being said, you can’t argue with the quality of the ball from Noguera, who’s an outstanding player. And Rahul Bheke has been a top player in the league, and he scored a wonderful goal,” Coyle opined.

The gaffer reckons the lack of consistent performances led to their downfall in the ongoing ISL season.

“We had the best chances of the game. We showed a lot of effort, a lot of energy, a lot of spirit. But it’s not tonight that it’s cost us to miss out on the playoffs. It’s been our inconsistency over the season. Even sometimes inconsistency during games after plenty of really good 60 minutes or even two or five minutes at the end or whatever,” he said.

“And that’s the bit in the backside, particularly tonight, to miss out. But we did enough on another night, which was the one-night game for sure with the chances we had. It’s Bengaluru FC’s night; they get the break, and it is what it is,” Coyle signed off.

Chennaiyin FC will next take on NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Monday.