CHENNAI: Chennaiyin FC player-cum-manager Marco Materazzi and his fellow players promised 100 per cent fight in the upcoming Indian Super League just few hours after their arrival at ‘home’ here on Saturday.
The squad arrived after completing three weeks of pre-season training in Bangalore. The team will kick off their campaign against FC Goa in Fatorda on October 15 and will play their opening game at the 40,000-capacity Jawharlal Nehru Stadium on October 21.
“We are ready for our mission. Everyone is excited to be here. We’ve have had a pre-season. We are looking forward to the challenge,” Italian World Cup winner Materazzi announced.
Former France and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre also said he is excited to be part of the team. “It’s a tremendous feeling to be here. We can feel the excitement. The spirit in the team is 100 per cent positive. We will give give everything for Chennai,” Silvestre said.
India’s most capped player, with 88 appearances for the national side, in the tournament Gouramangi Singh urged the local fans to come forward and support the team in large numbers. “We are in our home city. We’re really thrilled to be here. I’m looking forward to the training sessions. I hope people will come and support us,” the 28-year-old said.
Former Manchester United midfielder Bojan Djordjic added he is braced for the challenge. “The best players don’t make the best teams. We are willing to work as a unit and perform to our highest level and try and achieve as much as possible,” the Serb remarked.
Four players including marquee signing John Stiven Mendoza is yet to join the team. The other players missing were Indian striker Balwant Singh, who is on tour with the national team in Siliguri, Brazilian midfielder Elano and former India international NP Pradeep.
Chennaiyin FC had capped off their pre-season with a resounding 7-1 victory against Indian Army football team recently after a tough 2-1 win against the same opponent on September 27.
Meanwhile, tickets for the two opening home matches are available online at http://in.bookmyshow.com/sport/indian-super-league/chennaiyin-fc/. The tickets from the box office and retail outlets will open within 10 days. The prices for the tickets are categorized as `100, `150, `200, `350 and the hospitality tickets will cost `5,000.