Chennayin FC complete line in for playoffs
Mumbai City ousted
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 22: As Lucian Goian scored the winner against his former club to help Chennaiyin FC complete a stunning turnaround and qualify for the ISL playoffs, there could never be another sad moment for Mumbai City FC and their supporters.
Chennaiyin, who many had written off a few weeks ago, have won six out of their last seven matches under new manager Owen Coyle, helping them to seal a playoff berth ahead of Mumbai and Odisha FC.
There were no clear-cut chances or rather very few and far between in what was an intense see-saw contest in which Mumbai were reduced to 10 men in the second half. But Goian’s 83rd-minute strike was enough for Chennaiyin to win the match 1-0 and complete the playoff lineup.
The match got off to a calculated start as both teams were reluctant to give away the first goal. Dragos Firtulescu, who was a late starting lineup replacement for the injured Andre Schembri, picked up the ball in midfield and released Lallianzuala Chhangte down the left flank. The Indian winger’s looping ball into the box forced Amrinder Singh to come off his line and ward off the danger.
The teams were equally poised and the ball kept ‘travelling’ from one half of the pitch to another. However, the defense in both ends dominated the area in and around the two boxes.
The start of the second half saw two big incidents at either end of the pitch that helped to increase the tempo of the game. Vishal Kaith was extremely lucky to escape a sending off when he rushed off his line to get to Amine Chermiti who was sent through on goal. The keeper brought the striker down outside the box and was cautioned with a yellow card despite protests from the players in blue.
Mumbai then suffered a massive blow in the 54th minute. Chhangte was released in behind the defence and was fouled by Sourav Das with a tackle from behind. The Mumbai midfielder was shown a direct red and the hosts were reduced to 10 men.
Even with the disadvantage, Mumbai City was able to threaten Chennaiyin’s defence after the hour mark. Chermiti’s run behind the defence was well spotted by Carlos but the striker’s shot, after a good first touch to bring the ball down, was disappointing and wide.
The teams pushed for a goal, but lacked conviction, in the final quarter of the match but Lucian Goian proved to be the difference in the 83rd minute. Nerijus Valskis flicked on Rafael Crivellaro’s corner-kick from the right towards the far post from where the Chennaiyin skipper lashed a volley into the back of the net.