ISL: Chennaiyin goes down to Hyderabad
GOA: Hyderabad FC (HFC) did its chances of making the Indian Super League (ISL) play-offs a world of good with a 2-0 win over Chennaiyin FC (CFC) at the Tilak Maidan here on Sunday.
Goals from Fran Sandaza (28’) and Joel Chianese (82’) were enough to secure all three points for Hyderabad, which moved to third place on the table with 22 points off 15 games. Chennaiyin, coached by Csaba Laszlo, has 16 points from 15 matches.
HFC made its intentions clear right from the start, winning a corner in just the fifth minute. Asish Rai was the architect of the move, sprinting into the Chennaiyin box and finding Mohammed Yasir. After the latter’s cross was put behind for a corner, Rai got another chance but sent his shot over.
Hyderabad kept attacking and got its reward just before the half-hour mark when Sandaza broke the deadlock. After receiving the ball from a throw-in, the Spaniard found Joao Victor, who returned the favour with an excellent through ball.
Sandaza was still under pressure from Deepak Tangri, but shook off the defender by shifting the ball onto his other foot and slotting it into the back of the net. As the first half came to a close, Sandaza’s goal was the only shot on target from either team.
Chennaiyin came out of the break with a couple of changes — Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev and Edwin Sydney Vanspaul
on for Germanpreet Singh and Thoi Singh — and the moves looked to have paid off immediate dividends.
Eli Sabia came up all the way from defence and found himself with a direct sight on goal. His powerful shot from outside the box struck the crossbar and bounced away. The crossbar once again came to Hyderabad’s rescue and this time, it was substitute Fatkhulloev’s turn.
Hyderabad looked resigned to sitting back and defending as Chennaiyin dominated possession. However, CFC’s lack of creativity and wastefulness in front of goal cost it at the end. Chianese, who had replaced Sandaza, was played through by another excellent pass from Victor. Chianese had only a narrow target to aim at, but found the back of the net.
ATKMB defeats Kerala
A revitalised Marcelinho and talisman Roy Krishna inspired ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB) to a thrilling comeback victory as it edged Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) 3-2 in a five-goal thriller at the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday.