Chennai, March 21 (NationPress) In their first home match of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026, Chennaiyin FC will aim to capitalize on the momentum from their recent victory against rivals Kerala as they welcome FC Goa, currently positioned fourth in the standings, to the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this Sunday.

Summer acquisition Imran Khan netted his inaugural goal, securing Chennaiyin’s first victory of the season and propelling the Marina Machans upward in the ISL rankings.

Head Coach Clifford Rayes Miranda is keen for his team to maintain this positive trajectory and accumulate crucial points in their quest for the top position.

Before the upcoming match, Miranda emphasized the importance of continuing their winning momentum against a team that remains unbeaten in the league.

When discussing the challenge of managing FC Goa’s attacking prowess, he remarked, “I won’t disclose our strategy, but our approach is to defend as a unit rather than focusing on individual man-marking. We aim to collectively neutralize the opposition, especially in set-piece scenarios.”

Miranda also noted the team's ongoing adaptation to their roles and acknowledged the need for improvement in their final third, especially in transforming potential opportunities into goals.

“We have been experimenting with different structures and are striving for consistency in our positioning during attacking phases. Our goal is to enhance our scoring frequency. While we create promising chances, we must assert ourselves more in the final third and exhibit composure on the ball, particularly in critical attacking situations,” he added.

Sunday’s match will mark the first occasion this season that Chennaiyin FC plays before their home supporters. After four away games that yielded a victory and a draw, they are eager to secure three more points with their fans rallying behind them.

On the significance of home support, Miranda stated, “It’s vital. We have four games remaining in this five-match home stretch, and we must leverage this advantage to earn points. The support of our fans is crucial for our success.”

Joining Miranda was forward Daniel Chima Chukwu, who scored a late equalizer in the corresponding match last season that ended in a 2-2 draw.

“I’m feeling great so far. Not much has changed, and I’m excited about the upcoming game. We will give our best,” Chima expressed. Reflecting on his wait to rejoin the team due to visa issues, he added, “Watching from home, I felt an urgent need to be with the team. The wait was challenging, but once my visa was approved, I was eager to return immediately.”

Miranda also provided an update regarding team news, labeling midfielder Mohammed Ali Bemammer as a 50-50 chance for the match. Aside from Ali, the entire squad is expected to be available for selection.

Historically, FC Goa enjoys an advantage in their head-to-head record, having won 18 out of 30 encounters, while Chennaiyin has secured nine victories, with three matches resulting in draws.