ISL 3: Dudu’s Treble in vain as NEUFC downs Chennaiyin

by Chittu Shetty November 27, 2016

Marco Materazzi’s side fail to hold on to their lead in the final moments of the game as Dudu’s treble goes in vain with Highlanders came from goal down thrice to virtually knock out the defending champions.

Dudu Omagbemi scored his second Treble in three seasons of ISL

Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United shared the spoils in a high octane game that saw six goals between the two sides. Dudu omagbemi scored an hat-trick to put the defending champions in front thrice in the game but Velez struck twice to bring highlanders back into the game twice before assisting the third goal in injury time to earn a point for themselves while almost knocking out Chennaiyin from play-offs.

The home side started brightly with Indian international Goalkeeper Subrata Paul called into making crucial saves number of times. Riise almost opened the scoring through a scorching shot that almost crept in but for an alert Paul who probably produced the save of the season. On the other end, Romaric from a similar distance tested Karanjit Singh but failed to produce any goals.

Finally in the 34^th minute, Wadoo after a good run down the right flank produced a good cross deep into the near post where a lurking Dudu reacted quickly to head the ball past the diving Paul.

NorthEast reacted quickly and four minutes later they were on level terms, Nicolas Velez making a run in to the middle making some space for himself before firing in the ball past a stranded Karanjit as none of the chennaiyin defence closed him down.

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But minute before break, another goal by the Nigerian Dudu made it 2-1 for chennaiyin, Jerry’s ball inside the Highlanders defence was messed up in clearance by Zokora as Dudu gave the finishing touches to go into the break with a one goal lead.

Six minutes in to the second half, Nico Velez was once again on score sheet when Eli sabia’s clearance ball fell for the Argentine just outside the box. The snapshot from Velez should have been a regulation save for Karanjit however the ball slipped through the Chennaiyin custodian’s hands as the game was back into the level terms.

With ten minutes to go, Dudu completed his second hat-trick of ISL career to make it 3-2 as a low cross from down the right from substitute Mendy was somehow converted in to a goal by Dudu.

However in the injury time, Chennaiyin’s heartbreaking moment came from a Velez corner, Shouvik Ghosh jumped the highest to connect as the lead was once again equaled.

Northeast United FC are now at fifth spot in the league table with 15 points from 12 matches and have two matches in hand with play-off race still on, while for chennaiyin with 15 points from 13 matches, it is almost over with just a tiny mathematical chances that requires a lot of if’s and buts’.

Chennaiyin FC 3 (Dudu 34’, 45+2’, 81’) – 3 NorthEast United FC (Velez 38’,51’, Souvik Ghosh 90+4 )