Chennai, April 20 (NationPress) Chennaiyin FC is determined to secure their third victory of the season as they face relegation-threatened Mohammedan SC in the Indian Super League 2026 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this Tuesday. This match presents the Marina Machans with an opportunity to claim their inaugural ISL victory against the Kolkata side, which has yet to register a win this season.

Before the match, assistant coach Anthony Fernandes, stepping in for head coach Clifford Rayes Miranda due to a minor illness, stressed the importance of remaining concentrated on the task at hand and acknowledged the competitive nature of the league.

“Our focus is solely on the upcoming match. We have our strategies ready, but right now, our priority is to secure those three points,” Fernandes stated to the media. “Every game in the ISL poses challenges as all teams come prepared and play with passion. Tomorrow is not just another game,” he added, addressing concerns regarding Mohammedan's defensive issues.

Chennaiyin is entering this match with renewed energy following a 1-0 victory over SC Delhi, which ended a brief losing streak and elevated them to 10th place with eight points. With momentum on their side, the team is eager to utilize their home advantage to maintain their upward trajectory.

“Winning at home is always special, especially in front of our loyal supporters. It instills confidence in the team,” Fernandes reflected. “It was a challenging match, but a rewarding win after a rough patch, and we aim to carry that positivity into the next game.”

He also highlighted the overall development of the team's performance, pointing out positive indications despite the inconsistency in results.

“In our earlier home matches, like against East Bengal, we displayed good possession and created numerous chances. We are working on evolving our style of play, which takes time. However, that cannot serve as an excuse. We must approach each match, especially at home, with the intent to maximize our advantage,” he explained.

Defender Laldinliana Renthlei, who is anticipated to return to the matchday squad following his recovery from injury, joined Fernandes at the press conference.

Reflecting on his fitness and development this season, he mentioned, “I sustained a minor knee injury in the last game, but I am now fully fit and prepared for the upcoming match. I have made significant progress under Clifford’s guidance.”

In terms of team updates, Fernandes noted that Farukh Choudhary's participation remains uncertain after he was substituted early in the second half against SC Delhi, with his chances of playing currently at “50-50.”

After this match, Chennaiyin will embark on a challenging series of fixtures, facing consecutive away matches at Jamshedpur, Punjab, and NorthEast United.

CFC vs MSC Head-to-Head

Matches (All Competitions): 2 | CFC: 0 | MSC: 1 | Draws: 1