Chennaiyin flatten Blasters 3-1 in fast-paced encounter
Chhangte shines
KUWAIT CITY, Dec 21: Chennaiyin FC registered a dominating 3-1 over Kerala Blasters FC Friday at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. The game was not without controversy as the Chennaiyin saw its second goal disallowed after the referee awarded a contentious free kick to the Kerala Blasters and then revoked the host’s goal in the first half.
The win took Chennaiyin to eighth in the Indian Super League (ISL) standings, which is now level on points with Odisha FC but with a game in hand. Kerala Blasters failed to create chances and slipped to ninth in the table.
The ISL 2019-20 has seen a number of decisions which have changed the course of the match. The multiple lenition to raise the refereeing standards in the league.
Lallianzuala Chhangte was the star for Chennaiyin forward line as his electric pace and clinical finishing undid the Blasters’ defence. The 22-year-old showed ominous signs when he burst into the box after receiving a through ball from Germanpreet Singh and forced Mohammed Rakip into a last-ditch tackle.
The winger put Chennaiyin’s disappointment at the overturned goal by applying neat finish in the 30th minute and showed brilliant vision to lob the ball over an onrushing T.P. Rehenesh to put Valskis clear off the goal.
Rakip on the other hand, endured a nightmarish evening in Chennai as he was often caught out of position or beaten for pace by Chhangte. The 19-year old was lucky to escape a booking for a nudge on Valskis in the first half while seemed completely lost when he gave away the ball inside the area late in the second half.
Bartholomew’s Ogbeche’s fitness concerns had more often than not blunted the Kerala Blasters’ attack for a majority of this season. The forward’s return to the starting lineup raised hopes for Eelco Schattorie, who was watching the game from the stands due to suspension.
The Dutchman, who spent most of his time seething at his side’s dismal display, put on a determined face when Ogbeche foxed the Chennaiyin defence to unleash a rocket from outside the box.
However, the Kerala captain was rubbing one of his eyes repeatedly during the added time in the first half and had to be subbed off at half-time. Though there has been no official update on Ogbeche’s issue, it is definitely a cause of concern for a Blasters side which looks deflated.
Chennaiyin FC players celebrate a goal in the 3-1 win over Kerala Blasters
at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.