Chennaiyin FC head coach Thomas Brdaric feels there is no time to sit and complain after their 2-2 draw against Odisha FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai on Thursday. Diego Mauricio continued his good form for the Kalinga Warriors as he opened the scoring in the 24th minute.
However, the home team was quick to respond as Anirudh Thapa found the back of the net after only one minute. Isak Ralte then once again put Odisha FC in front but El Khayati made a fine return to action after recovering from a hamstring injury as he scored in the 57th minute to equalize for his team.
Brdaric was proud of the way his team bounced back twice in the match to share the spoils.
“We are a hard working team, and it hurts a bit. We try to be humble, and I am proud that the team came back with a fight on the pitch. We also created enough chances to be able to score the third goal,” Brdaric said in the official post-match press conference.
The German admitted they are a young team, which is looking to learn and improve their performance in the ongoing season.
“We are a young team with young players who need to learn quickly how to make the decisions on the field. We are addressing that with the players, it is up to them how to execute it. We suffer due to individual mistakes, and it is too late before we come out of it. The way we concede the goals is a bit too simple, it is clear there are efforts, but they are not enough to take us into the top six,” he stated.
“It was a point from tonight, but at the end of the day, we have four games left to play, and I still have hope. We do not have the time to complain and accept the decision,” he added.
Brdaric feels it is important to manage the workload of El Khayati as he is a crucial part of their team.
“We have to care about him, he is a brilliant player, and he rescued us again with a point. We cannot let anything happen to him, we need to protect him,” he commented.
“Now we have everyone on the board, and it is important to have a fit team. I am sure with these players available until the end, we will be in consideration for top six. I have seen good developments from the team, but it is not enough, and now is the time to recover and stay positive,” he concluded.
Chennaiyin FC will next face Kerala Blasters FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on Tuesday.
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