Jeje Lalpekhlua spends time with some of the Chennaiyin FC fans. (Photo courtesy: Chennaiyin FC)
Chennaiyin FC returned to the city in the early hours of Thursday morning after a three week pre-season training camp at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Just like previous seasons, Chennaiyin received a warm welcome from fans at the airport despite their arrival being after midnight.
There were flags, garlands and custom made banners accompanied by player chants. Despite several changes in the Chennaiyin squad under the new guidance of English coach John Gregory, the supporters were full of enthusiasm and introduced chants even for the newcomers.
CFC’s training base in Thailand was at True Arena, Hua Hin, which is 125 miles away from Thailand’s capital city Bangkok.
The 2015 ISL champions played three friendly matches in Thailand. They lost 2-0 against newly promoted Thai Premier League side Air Force Central FC and also were beaten 3-1 by Thai Premier League outfit Thai Port FC.
Chennaiyin defeated Thai Premier League’s Bangkok United FC 3-0 in their final pre-season friendly in Thailand.
The preparations for the fourth season of the Hero Indian Super League will resume with an afternoon training session at SDAT Nehru Park later today. CFC start their campaign with a home fixture against FC Goa on Sunday November 19 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Goalkeepers
Karanjit Singh, Pawan Kumar, Shahin Lal Meloli
Defenders
Dhanachandra Singh, Fulganco Cardozo, Henrique Sereno (Portugal), Inigo Calderon (Spain), Jerry Lalrinzuala, Keenan Almeida, Mailson Alves (Brazil), Sanjay Balmuchu
Midfielders
Anirudh Thapa, Bikramjit Singh, Dhanapal Ganesh, Francisco Fernandes, Germapreet Singh, Jaime Gavilan (Spain), Raphael Augusto (Brazil), Rene Mihelic (Slovenia), Thoi Singh
Forwards
Gregory Nelson (Netherlands), Jeje Lalpekhlua, Jude Nworuh (Nigeria), Mohammed Rafi Madambillath, Baoringdao Bodo
Officials
John Gregory (Head Coach)