I-League 2018-19: “We are not keeping the 7-1 loss in our mind”, says Chennai City FC coach Nawas ahead of East Bengal clash

I-League leaders Chennai City Football Club will face their first real test of this season when they will clash against mighty East Bengal at Salt Lake Stadium on Tuesday. The table toppers are flying high after two wins and one draw in their last three games.

After their famous away win against Southern rivals Gokulam Kerala FC, Chennai is aiming full points from their second away game too.

Chennai played in the last two I-League season and both the time they finished on the eighth position. But this year, with a different team and new coach, Chennai are already having an unbeaten run. But Nawas seemed to be cautious in his approach,

Chennai City FC will definitely feel the pressure of scoring goals as Pedro Manzi is injured and may not start against East Bengal. Manzi has already scored four goals along with a hat-trick against Indian Arrows.

The Spaniard will undergo a fitness test tomorrow morning and after that final decision will be taken whether to include him in the playing XI or not.

Talking about their opponent, the Chennai gaffer said,

The last meeting between the two teams at this ground nine months ago resulted in a disaster for Chennai City. East Bengal have won the match by a 7-1 margin with Dudu Omagbemi scoring four goals.

Asked whether they will keep the result mind, Nawas said,

Both of East Bengal’s strikers – Enrique Esqueda and Jobby Justin are in fine form after scoring two goals each in the last two matches. Nawas said there will be a special plan not only for the strikers but for the whole team.