ISL 3: Succi’s first goal in ISL helps Chennaiyin down highlanders 1-0

by Chittu Shetty October 21, 2016

David Succi’s thunderous volley ensured visitors Chennaiyin took all three points from the highlanders den who despite the loss still leads the table.

Despite a late surge by the home side Chennaiyin FC’s resolute defending, led by the returning Bernard Mendy, was enough to see Chennai through by one goal.

After a slow start to the season, Chennaiyin seem back on track to their title defence with back to back away Victories. For NorthEast it will be worrying factor for manager Nelo Vingada that they don’t throw off the good start they have got with performances like these.

The home side made a lone change with Nirmal Chhetri coming back from suspension as a right full back while the away side saw Bernard Mendy returning to the starting eleven as marquee signing John Arne Riise dropped down to the bench. Siam Hanghal and Maurizio Peluso made their first starts of the season as Chennaiyin lined up in a 4-3-3 formation.

Chennai started the game brightly as they looked in control of the game at the start, A physical game that saw a spat between Succi and zokora for a foul in the 20^th minute of the game. The ensuing freekick from distance was wasted as Maurizio Peluso shot straight into the wall. Eight minutes later, Peluso had another free kick that was rightly judged by Paul who fisted it straight to Hans Mulder, who headed inches over the cross bar.

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In the middle of the first half, Nico Velez, after pulling a hamstring was replaced by Wellington Priori while Katsumi Yusa was shifted to the left wing. Around 41^st minute, Paul made a diving save when Peluso, took a shoot at goal from the edge of the box to deny chennaiyin a lead.

First half ended at scores tied at 0-0, NorthEast failing to create any impact from their attacks, while Chennaiyin had tested paul few times.

Early in the second half, Paul was finally beaten by a fine volley from Succi, who scored his very first goal in the ISL, as the visitors took the lead in 49th minute. Paul got a touch to it, but ball deflected up to the far corner of the net.

Around the 60^th minute, Young Impressive Jerry Lalrinzuala denied Halicharan a shot in to the goal at the far post when Yusa’s low cross across missed everyone in between.

In the 66th minute, Alfaro was boldly taken down inside the box by Mendy tackle but much to the surprise of the home crowd, the referee didn’t deemed it as a penalty.  In the 90th minute, Katsumi Yusa’s free kick fell right to Alfaro, whose header blazed over the crossbar.

In the dying moments of the game, Jayesh Rane’s cross found Hans Mulder, whose shot blazed dangerously close to the far post. Chennaiyin’s strong defending managed to stop the home team from scoring in the entire game, as the visitors held on for their second win of the campaign win.

Notheast United FC 0 – 1 Chennaiyin FC (Succi 48’)