Confident of our chances: CCFC coach

Chennai

2018-19 I-League title-winner Chennai City had a two-week training camp at the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research here before heading to host city Kolkata.

CCFC, whose players are in the middle of the mandatory seven-day quarantine, will begin its season with a clash against Gokulam Kerala FC (GKFC) on January 9.

“Normally, we have a six-week pre-season. But because of the current situation, we do not have sufficient time. However, it is the same for all the teams. We are doing our best and will start training in Kolkata once our quarantine ends on January 2. The players are in the right frame of mind,” said Singaporean Satyasagara at a virtual press meet on Wednesday.

“We are quite confident of our chances. I was the assistant coach for the last couple of seasons, so I know the players well. This is not a brand new team. The expectation is high and I am demanding a lot from my players. There won’t be excuses,” added Satyasagara, who was former chief coach Akbar Nawas’s deputy in I-League 2018-19 and 2019-20.

While retaining most of its local talent, Chennai City has opted for a new-look foreign contingent, comprising Singaporean forward Iqbal Hussain and the Serbian trio of Demir Avdic, Vladimir Molerovic and Elvedin Skrijelj.  Satyasagara said that the quartet would add teeth to the CCFC starting line-up.

“I have known Iqbal for a long time. He is a talented player who has represented his nation. The Serbians in our squad were recommended by a former player. I wanted strong and dynamic players in our team and I have got them. They are going to play in India for the first time and a lot of challenges are lying ahead of them,” explained the Chennai City boss.

During the interaction, Satyasagara also confirmed that CCFC would continue its tradition of promoting youngsters and giving them valuable game time.