John Gregory - Latest News Update, Information, Photos & Videos on John Gregory at Lokmat Times

To progress to the 2019 AFC Cup knockout stage, Chennaiyin must beat Manang and hope Bangladesh's Abahani Limited Dhaka drop points against Minerva Punjab in the group's other game to be played at the same time in Guwahati.Going into the final group match, Chennaiyin are in second with eight points while Abahani are at the top with 10 points. An Abahani victory will take them to 13 points, out of Chennaiyin's reach.However, if Abahani draw against Minerva and if Chennaiyin beat Manang, both sides will finish on 11 points. In that eventuality, Chennaiyin will finish on top and qualify for the AFC Cup inter-zone semifinals, owing to a better head-to-head record against the Bangladeshi side.The Chennaiyin backline will be boosted by Brazilian defender Eli Sabia's return from a one-match suspension, which saw him miss the 1-1 draw against Minerva last week.Speaking at the official pre-match press conference, Chennaiyin head coach John Gregory underlined the importance of the task that lay ahead for his boys."Nothing less than a win matters now. The focus is on getting three points and hoping the other result goes our way in the match between Abahani and Minerva. Manang lost 0-5 to Abahani in their previous game and will thus have a point to prove against us. We know the pressure is on us, but the boys are prepared for it," Gregory said.The match will be played on an artificial turf at the ANFA complex in Kathmandu.Chennaiyin's English coach also commented on the role the pitch might possibly play in affecting the proceedings."We haven't yet played a match on an artificial pitch. It will be a new experience for many of our players. It's good that we get to practice on it one day prior to the match. The boys have to get used to the different bounce on the ball and those kind of things. Let's hope we deal with it well," said Gregory.Accompanying Gregory was experienced former India midfielder Francisco Fernandes, who reiterated a victory against Manang will be the primary objective."It's a must-win game for us without doubt. For the result in the other match to matter, we have to win first. It is also the last game of the season, so we hope to win and finish on a high," said Fernandes, who has played in Nepal in the past along with the likes of teammate Jeje Lalpekhlua and Karanjit Singh during the 2013 SAFF Championship, in which India lost to Afghanistan in the final.Nepal's A-Division League champions Manang will play for pride after being out of contention of the knockout stage with just two points to their name in their debut AFC Cup campaign.In the corresponding fixture on matchday two, Chennaiyin beat Manang 2-0 courtesy goals from Mailson Alves and Chris Herd to notch their first AFC Cup group stage victory. Chennaiyin will aim for an encore and hope matters go their way in Guwahati in order to progress to the knockout stage.( With inputs from IANS )

Home

City

Latest News

Cricket

LT Premium

National

International

Maharashtra

Opinions

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Nagpur

Entertainment

Photos

Business

Technology

Sports

Lifestyle

Social Viral

Lokmat Games

Health

Pahalgam Terror Attack

Tahawwur Rana

IPL 2025

CM Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai Local

Weather Update

John GregoryFOLLOW

John gregory, Latest News

Football :Longer domestic calendar more like the European football season, says former EPL manager John Gregory

Mumbai, June 22 Former English Premier League manager John Gregory believes that the decision to extend the domestic ... ...

Football :ISL: Rejuvenated Chennaiyin eye Odisha scalp

A revitalised Chennaiyin FC will look to build some momentum when they take on Odisha FC in their Indian Super League clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Thursday. ...

Football :More than a football match against Bengaluru: Gregory

Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC will seek their first win of the season when they renew rivalries at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Sunday. ...

Football :Chennaiyin face Mumbai City seeking much needed first win

Indian Super League (ISL) action comes to the city of Chennai for the very first time this season as Chennaiyin FC take on Mumbai City FC in their first home game. ...

Football :ISL: FC Goa favourites against Chennaiyin FC (Preview)

FC Goa will look to go one better and win the title this time as they begin their 2019-20 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign against Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Wednesday. ...

Football :AFC Cup: Chennaiyin face Manang in must-win group match

Chennaiyin FC will conclude their debut AFC Cup group stage campaign with a must-win clash against Nepals Manang Marshyangdi Club at the All Nepal Football Association (ANFA) complex here on Wednesday. ...