Chennai, 4th October 2014 – The Chennaiyin FC squad arrived in the city after completing three weeks of pre-season training in Bangalore.
Chennaiyin FC players thrilled to arrive home
The players are excited to be finally at their ‘home’ in Chennai and can’t wait to train and play in the city.
The entire contingent has been working hard in Bangalore but there will be an extra spring in their step now that they are in Chennai and are looking forward to their first home game against Kerala Blasters on October 21 at the 40,000 capacity Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium.
Chennaiyin FC Manager-player and Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi said after arrival, “We are delighted to be finally here in Chennai. The boys have been gelling well and have already built up a great understanding.
“It was also great catching up with co-owner Abhishek Bachchan in Mumbai. He is very passionate about football and we have something in common as both he and my son supports Chelsea. We look forward to have a great season in the Hero Indian Super League.”
Chennaiyin FC’s former France and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre was also excited to be finally in Chennai and said, “I have played all over the world but I am excited as ever to play in the Hero Indian Super League especially in front of our home crowd in Chennai.”
India’s most capped player in the Hero Indian Super League and Chennaiyin FC defender Gouramangi Singh urged the people of Chennai to turn up in large numbers.
“We have been training hard in Bangalore but now that we are in Chennai, we will get more energy to train and perform. I hope to see big crowds at our stadium here and make the most of home advantage.”
Chennaiyin’s former Manchester United midfielder Bojan Djordjic added, “I know there are a lot of expectations from us but we are motivated by it and are aiming to achieve all our goals.”
Chennaiyin FC starts their Hero Indian Super League campaign with an away game against FC Goa on October 15.
Final squad
Note: Nationality of foreigners in brackets
Goalkeepers: Abhijit Mondal, Shilton Paul, Gennaro Bracigliano (France)
Defenders: Gouramangi Singh, Dhanachandra Singh, Khelemba Meetei, Abhishek Das, Bernard Mendy (France), Jairo Suarez (Colombia), Marco Materazzi (Italy), Mikael Silvestre (France)
Midfielders: Harmanjot Singh Khabra, Denson Devadas, Dane Pereira, NP Pradeep, Jaison Vales, Anthony Barbosa, Sukhwinder Singh, Cristian Hidalgo (Spain), Bojan Djordjic (Sweden/Serbia), Bruno Pelissari (Brazil), Pierre Tillman (Sweden), Elano (Brazil)
Forwards: Jeje Lalpekhlua, JayeshRane, Balwant Singh, Eduardo Silva Lerma (Spain), John Stiven Mendoza (Colombia)
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