ISL 2022-23: We were very good in the first half – Simon Grayson after win against Chennaiyin FC

Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson was delighted after his team’s 3-1 win against Chennaiyin at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru on Saturday. Grayson feels the team’s performance in the first half was particularly good.

Sivasakthi Narayanan scored a brace in the first 23 minutes of play whereas Rohit Kumar scored in the 30th minute to give a 3-0 lead to his team. Vanspaul scored for the tourists in the second half to give a glimmer of hope to his team but it was not enough.

Simon Grayson was full of praise for Sivasakthi Narayanan, who scored two goals to put his team in front. The 22-year-old has impressed in the ongoing season of the Hero ISL, scoring four goals and providing two assists in 13 matches he has played.

“Siva (Narayanan) as you always know that, he’s a goal scorer. He is quick and works extremely hard. He got left out of the team, but he came back with real freshness and spark. He is calm in front of the goal. (Many players) would be feared by that one on one situation, but not him. He got into that position and slotted it away like, it was Sunil Chhetri in his prime. He has a lot to learn. He has a long way to go, but he has a great attitude and composure in front of the goal and he’s a real good kid and I love working with him,” Grayson said in the post-match press conference.

Meanwhile, the Blues took four shots on target, converting three of their chances. On the other hand, Bengaluru FC has won their previous four matches on the bounce and Grayson feels the team ticked the right boxes against Marina Machans.

“In the first half, we were very good. Our possession, our shape was really good. We nullified anything, they were looking to ask questions of us, we stood well, we defended well and in the midfield, the shape was very good. We all knew that we would get chances. We’ve got two of the strikers who are magnificent to run into the gaps and they’re really ruthless,” Grayson said.

The Englishman believes the opposition had nothing to lose when they had a 3-0 lead after the first half-hour. Grayson gave credit to his players for hanging in there and sticking to their guns despite the pressure created by the opposition.

“With 3-0, Chennaiyin FC had nothing to lose, they (brought) two big strikers and put plenty of balls over there and asked questions and the goal gave them the big lift, But then we did look a little bit disorganized, went to a back four and we were making wrong decisions. We were (giving away) possession but fair play to the boys, they kept going and put the bodies on the line,” he said.

Bengaluru FC will next face ATK Mohun Bagan at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, Kolkata on 5th February.