Matchday 11 of the Indian Super League saw Northeast United FC(NEUFC) lose out to Chennaiyin FC 1-2 in a hard-fought encounter. Khalid Jamil chopped and changed his team making three changes to his starting 11 from their previous encounter. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC brought Jerry Lalrinzuela into the starting 11 replacing Salam Singh.
Chennaiyin FC came into this match after winning their first encounter against Hyderabad FC. On the other hand, NorthEast United FC failed to win in their first two matches having managed 1 point out of a possible 6.
NORTHEAST UNITED FC 1-2 CHENNAIYIN FC : THE GAME
Following a scoreless draw, Khalid Jamil made 3 changes to the starting 11 for NEUFC. Mathias Coureur came in for Deshorn Brown to lead the line. After a solid outing against Hyderabad, Chennaiyin FC made a change in personnel by starting the rapid Lalrinzuala at left-back.
The game saw a good start as both teams tried to play on the front foot. The game was end to end right from the start. Lallianzuala Chhangte, the player of the match was rapid on the right flank as he caused problems for NEUFC’s backline throughout the game. The first sighting of the goal also came to Chhangte who outpaced the defenders of NEUFC to oversee the first proper chance of the match. However, Subhashish Roy Chowdhury was up to the task as he got down to save his shot.
Chhangte was on fire as he caught Chowdhury by surprise when he shot the ball against the crossbar and saw it go in in the 41st minute. His lethal left foot saw him score for the 4th time against NEUFC.
Chennaiyin FC headed into the second half with a 1-0 lead. The start of the second half saw a change in flow as NEUFC started to string together a few passes and dominate the game. However, their equalizer came at the expense of a mistake from Vishal Kaith, the goalkeeper of Chennaiyin. Kaith misjudged the flight of the ball from a long throw-in and left his goal empty for Suhair VP who converted from close range in the 50th minute.
The goal saw NEUFC grow in confidence. In the 53rd minute, Gurjinder Sunny’s shot took a wicked deflection and hit the crossbar, and then Lalkhawpuimawia found the side netting from the rebound.
THE WINNER
Mirlan found the back of the net in the 61st minute but was ruled offside by the linesman.NEUFC then tested the resolve of Chennaiyin FC as Kaith had his task cut out when he saved a wicked shot from Hernan in the 68th minute.
However, Anirudh Thapa the skipper of Chennaiyin FC was played through on goal by Rahim Ali. The skipper made no mistake as he slotted the ball in the back of the net with just the keeper to beat.
Chennaiyin FC then showed great composure to hold onto their slender lead for the last 20 minutes. With this win, Chennaiyin FC are now 2nd on the table and equal on points with the table-toppers ATK Mohun Bagan FC. Their next match is against SC East Bengal who have also failed to win their first two matches.
Northeast United FC have now failed to win their first three matches. Their slow start to the season now puts them in 9th position. Next up, they face FC Goa who lie at the bottom of the table.
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