Both sides began cautiously, looking to build attacks from the back and find openings in the final third. Despite efforts from either team to take control, the defences held firm through a closely contested first half, with the score remaining goalless at the break.

Chennaiyin broke the deadlock in the 64th minute when Irfan Yadwad struck a right-footed effort into the far corner to give the visitors the lead. Chennaiyin looked to build on their advantage, with Ramon Taque testing the Goa defence with a powerful attempt towards the bottom-left corner from a tight angle.

FC Goa responded with greater urgency and came agonisingly close to equalising in the 70th minute when Ramon unleashed a curling long-range effort that struck the post. Udanta Singh went close soon after, rattling the crossbar as the hosts piled on the pressure.

The Gaurs eventually found their breakthrough in the 75th minute. A foul on Udanta Singh in the attacking half earned FC Goa a free kick, and Chiki rose to head the delivery into the bottom-right corner, bringing the hosts level at 1-1.

With momentum on their side, FC Goa continued searching for a winner. Chiki had another opportunity from inside the box in the 79th minute, while Chennaiyin threatened at the other end when Ramon headed a cross from the left over the crossbar with the goalkeeper off his line.

Both teams pushed for a decisive goal in the closing stages, but neither could find the finishing touch. FC Goa’s attacking intent was reflected in their four corners compared to Chennaiyin’s one, though the visitors held on to secure a share of the points.

The draw gives both sides a point to begin their ISL 2026-27 campaigns. Chennaiyin will take encouragement from Yadwad’s opener, while FC Goa will be pleased with their response and Chiki’s equaliser after a determined second-half display.

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After a tightly contested first half, it was Alfred Moya who made the difference with a decisive brace, earning him the Player of the Match honours and guiding his side to an important three points on the road.

The opening half saw both teams adopt a cautious approach, with Chennaiyin enjoying more possession as Alberto Noguera and Mohammed Ali Bemammer dictated the tempo in midfield. However, Inter Kashi remained compact defensively, limiting the hosts to speculative efforts from distance.

At the other end, Rohit Danu provided a constant outlet for the visitors, delivering dangerous balls into the box. Inter Kashi came closest to breaking the deadlock just before halftime through a flurry of chances from a set-piece situation, but a combination of goalkeeping and last-ditch defending kept the scores level.

The game sprang to life immediately after the restart. Inter Kashi capitalised on a defensive lapse as Moya reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the box, calmly finishing to give the visitors the lead.

Momentum stayed with the away side, and Moya struck again shortly after, taking advantage of miscommunication in the Chennaiyin defence to double the advantage with a composed finish.

Chasing the game, Chennaiyin FC pushed forward with greater urgency and created a few promising moments, including a strong effort from Faroukh Chaudhary that was well saved. Their persistence eventually paid off in stoppage time when Daniel Chima Chukwu found the net following a scramble in the box.

However, the late goal proved to be only a consolation, as Inter Kashi held firm to register their second win of the campaign. The result lifts them to eighth in the standings, while Chennaiyin FC remain in the lower half as they look to regroup ahead of their next fixture.

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The first half was a balanced affair, with both sides creating opportunities but failing to convert. Chennaiyin came closest early on when Maheson Singh struck the post before testing goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari with a powerful effort. At the other end, Brison Fernandes and Dejan Dražić tried their luck for Goa, but Mohammad Nawaz stood firm in goal.

Despite a lively opening period, neither team could find the breakthrough before the interval, as both defences held strong.

Chennaiyin made a strong start to the second half and took the lead in the 48th minute. A defensive error allowed Irfan Yadwad to capitalise, and he calmly finished into the bottom corner to put the hosts ahead.

FC Goa responded by increasing their control of possession and pushing forward in search of an equaliser. Chennaiyin, however, remained compact and limited the visitors to efforts from distance as they looked to protect their lead.

The breakthrough for Goa finally arrived in the 87th minute. A well-delivered corner from Dražić found Jhingan, who rose above the defence to power home a header and level the score at 1–1.

Goa pressed for a late winner in stoppage time, but Nawaz produced important saves to keep Chennaiyin in the game, while a late chance for the hosts also went begging.

In the end, both sides had to settle for a point, with Jhingan’s late intervention ensuring FC Goa extended their unbeaten run in a hard-fought contest.

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Chennaiyin started the match with intensity and nearly found an early breakthrough when Imran Khan struck the post after a cross from Farukh Choudhary caused problems for the Blasters defence. The visitors continued to push forward, with Maheson Singh also testing the Kerala goalkeeper with a sharp effort from close range.

Kerala Blasters gradually grew into the game and created a few opportunities of their own. Muhammad Ajsal, Víctor Bertomeu and Vibin Mohanan all tried their luck at goal, but Chennaiyin goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz dealt comfortably with the attempts.

The breakthrough arrived in the 42nd minute when Alberto Noguera slipped a pass through to Imran Khan on the wing. The winger attempted a curling effort towards the far corner, which took a deflection off defender RV Hormipam before finding its way into the net to give Chennaiyin a crucial lead just before half-time.

Kerala Blasters came out with greater attacking intent in the second half, pushing players forward in search of an equaliser. Kevin Yoke and Nihal Sudeesh created several dangerous moments from the flanks while Ajsal found spaces in the attacking third.

Despite the pressure, Chennaiyin goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz produced an outstanding performance between the posts. He made a brilliant double save to deny Víctor Bertomeu from close range and continued to command the defence with confidence.

Kerala came close to equalising when Nihal Sudeesh struck the crossbar after being set up by Kevin Yoke, but the hosts were unable to convert their chances. Chennaiyin stayed organised defensively and absorbed the pressure as the match progressed.

The visitors ultimately protected their slender advantage until the final whistle, sealing a valuable 1-0 win and their first victory in Kochi in six years. The result gives Chennaiyin FC a much-needed boost in the standings, while Kerala Blasters continue to search for their first points of the campaign.

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Both head coaches opted for unchanged starting line-ups, seeking continuity, but it was the Mariners who settled quicker into the contest. They controlled possession early, while Chennaiyin looked to create openings through counter-attacks. The visitors nearly found a breakthrough when Dinliana’s cross located Iñigo Martín inside the box, but the forward failed to make contact.

Mohun Bagan steadily increased the pressure. Anirudh Thapa came close with a volley that flew just over the bar, and Dimitrios Petratos forced a sharp save from Mohammad Nawaz. The Chennaiyin goalkeeper was later forced off due to injury after a collision, with Samik Mitra stepping in.

The breakthrough arrived in first-half stoppage time. Thapa dispossessed Irfan Yadwad and immediately slipped a precise through ball into the path of Jamie Maclaren. The Australian striker timed his run perfectly and finished calmly to give the hosts a deserved lead at the interval.

The Mariners continued on the front foot after the restart. Maclaren came close to doubling the advantage on multiple occasions, while sustained attacking pressure kept Chennaiyin pinned back. Just past the hour mark, Mohun Bagan found their second. Liston Colaco switched play brilliantly before Subhasish Bose delivered a cross into the box. Petratos arrived unmarked at the back post and struck a crisp first-time volley past the goalkeeper, sealing control of the match. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

Mohun Bagan had further chances to extend the margin, with Petratos, Maclaren, and substitute Jason Cummings all testing the goalkeeper. Chennaiyin, meanwhile, struggled to threaten and failed to register a shot on target throughout the game. Their only late attempt from Gurkirat Singh drifted wide in stoppage time.

In the end, the two-goal cushion was more than enough for Mohun Bagan SG to record their second consecutive win, continuing their strong start to the season with authority.

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The first half saw both teams cancel each other out in midfield, with clear-cut chances at a premium. Mumbai City looked the more threatening side in attack, as Jorge Pereyra Díaz forced a fine save from Mohammad Nawaz after being set up by Jorge Ortiz. Soon after, Brandon Fernandes combined well with Lallianzuala Chhangte, who laid the ball into Ortiz’s path, but the Spaniard’s effort was once again denied.

Chennaiyin relied heavily on crosses and long deliveries into the box, targeting Irfan Yadwad and Iñigo Martín. Despite winning multiple corners in the opening half, they struggled to truly test Phurba Lachenpa, as Mumbai’s defence remained organised and alert.

The decisive moment came just four minutes into the second half. Joni Kauko’s cross into the box took a heavy deflection off Pritam Kotal in the 48th minute, wrong-footing Nawaz and finding the back of the net to give the Islanders the lead.

Chennaiyin responded by increasing the pressure and pushing forward in numbers. They earned a total of 15 corner kicks throughout the match and kept Mumbai pinned back during the closing stages. Their best opportunity came late on when a recycled corner found Mandar Rao Dessai inside the box, but he failed to connect cleanly.

Mumbai City held their defensive shape until the final whistle to secure the win in front of their home supporters. Akash Mishra’s composed display at the back earned him the Player of the Match award, capping off a disciplined and determined team performance.

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Dempo took the lead in the 25th minute through a stunning free-kick from Shubham Rawat that found the top corner. However, just minutes later, Chennaiyin goalkeeper Samik Mitra produced an unexpected equaliser, scoring directly from a volley to level the contest at 1-1.

Despite facing sustained pressure from their ISL opponents, Dempo held their ground with discipline and determination. Their defensive organisation and relentless energy frustrated Chennaiyin’s attack and helped them finish the group stage unbeaten.

What stands out most from Dempo’s Super Cup journey is their courage. The I-League club went toe-to-toe with three of India’s biggest ISL sides, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, East Bengal FC, and Chennaiyin FC — and walked away with three well-earned points.

They may not be moving into the semifinals, but Dempo SC have sent a strong message: they belong on this stage. With youth, heart, and belief on their side, this Goan outfit has plenty of potential and an exciting road ahead in Indian football.

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The breakthrough came in the 36th minute when Kevin Sibille rose highest to head home from a perfectly delivered free-kick, giving East Bengal the lead. Just four minutes later, Bipin Singh doubled the advantage with a composed finish from close range after a well-worked move.

As first-half stoppage time approached, Bipin struck again in the 45+1 minute, curling a beautiful effort into the far corner to complete his brace and send East Bengal into the break with a commanding 3-0 lead.

Chennaiyin FC, meanwhile, struggled to cope with East Bengal’s tempo and fluid movement. The early goals completely shifted the momentum, and the Marina Machans found it difficult to maintain defensive shape or build meaningful attacks. East Bengal’s high pressing and swift transitions kept Chennaiyin pinned back for most of the half.

After the restart, East Bengal denied Chennaiyin any real chances to get back into the game. The home side showed more intent in the second half, but their finishing lacked precision and composure in the final third.

The icing on the cake came deep into stoppage time, when East Bengal were awarded a penalty. Substitute Hiroshi stepped up confidently and converted in the 90+4 minute to make it 4-0 and put the result beyond doubt.

With this emphatic victory, East Bengal sent a strong message to the rest of the group, combining attacking sharpness, defensive organisation, and clinical finishing. For Chennaiyin FC, it was a tough night that exposed key areas for improvement as they look to regroup for the next fixture.

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Mohun Bagan came in off the back of a successful pre-season stretch. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC entered this match under a new era: their newly appointed head coach Clifford Miranda took charge for the first time, fielding an all-Indian XI in a bold statement of faith in the domestic talent.

The opening half was marked by heavy rain, making the surface slippery and reducing the quality of build-up play. The Mariners (MBSG) handled the conditions better, their defence anchored by the likes of Thomas Aldred, Alberto Rodríguez and Mehtab Singh holding firm.

Midfielders Apuia and Anirudh Thapa pulled strings, probing flanks and linking play when conditions allowed. The breakthrough came in the 38th minute. A clever back-heel from Liston Colaco unlocked a Chennaiyin marker, allowing Maclaren to sprint in and slot past keeper Mohammad Nawaz from close range. Half-time arrived with Mohun Bagan leading 1-0 and with control of the narrative.

As the rain eased after the break, Chennaiyin stepped up their tempo and looked to press back. They earned a free-kick early on (46th minute) but could not find precision in attack. Then in the 67th minute, Maclaren struck again. A crisp cross from Manvir Singh found Maclaren in space and he swept the ball home, making it 2-0 and effectively sealing the game.

For Mohun Bagan: The win is a strong start in a competitive Group A. In a tournament where only top group positions will matter, opening with three points feels crucial. Maclaren again proved he’s the go-to figure when moments count.

For Chennaiyin FC: The all-Indian lineup and new coach make this more than just a game — it’s a reset. While the team showed character, they’ll feel disappointed to walk away with nothing.

What’s next for these two

Mohun Bagan now look ahead to their next Group A match against Dempo SC on Tuesday, October 28 at 19:30.
Chennaiyin will face East Bengal FC on the same date at 16:30 — a chance to bounce back and begin the hunt for points.

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Recent Form: FC Goa enters the fixture on the back of an impressive run (45 points from their 22 matches), having secured victories in four out of their last five matches. Their commanding performance against Chennaiyin FC in their recent encounter, where they emerged triumphant with a 4-1 scoreline, underscores their current form and confidence.

Contrastingly, Chennaiyin FC, despite experiencing a setback in their previous fixture against FC Goa, have demonstrated resilience throughout the season. With wins in three of their last five matches, they are poised to bounce back and pose a formidable challenge to their opponents.

What’s at stake?

FC Goa

FC Goa fare well against Chennaiyin FC, having won five of their last six matches against them, and keeping a clean sheet in four of those victories. The Gaurs have found the back of the net in each of their previous 14 matches against the Marina Machans, and only against Kerala Blasters FC do have a longer active scoring streak, i.e. of 19 games.
 

FC Goa now have won four matches in a row, and their last longer run like this was a stretch of five encounters from January-February 2020. Their 52 strikes against Chennaiyin FC is the most goals that a team has netted against any opposition in the ISL. They put up an absolute show in the last match, and one can expect similar fireworks, or at least intent to pull off the same in the forthcoming fixture as well.
 

Chennaiyin FC

Prior to their defeat in the last game against the Gaurs, Chennaiyin FC had scored at least two goals or more in each of their three prior matches in the ISL. Chennaiyin FC have often brought their A-game to the table in the knockouts, having won six playoffs matches in the tournament, which is the joint-highest amongst all teams along with Bengaluru FC (6).
 

Before his latest 4-1 loss, the Scottish manager held only a 20% win rate against Marquez, which suggests that the latter has devised a way to unlock Coyle’s team consistently over the last few years. The Marina Machans might rely on their frontline to push FC Goa back in the coming match. For instance, Jordan Murray has won 5.15 duels per match, and his contributions in the coming contest will be vital to determine Chennaiyin FC’s prospects too.
 

Key Players to Watch Out

Brandon Fernandes (FC Goa)

Brandon Fernandes bagged his first goal of the ISL season in their last match against Chennaiyin FC. Overall, he has netted once and bagged four assists in 17 matches in this campaign.

He has averaged 33 passes per game at 79% accuracy and has also delivered 50 key passes in addition to creating 54 goal-scoring opportunities. He has completed 14 successful dribbles, won 66 duels, made two clearances and interceptions each, and also made 80 recoveries. He seemed to be in his groove in the last match and will be edging to tease the Chennaiyin FC defence and derive some concrete outcomes for his side.

Rafael Crivellaro (Chennaiyin FC)

Rafael Crivellaro is the creator-in-chief of the Chennaiyin FC unit, constantly hovering around the final third, getting into pockets of spaces, finding teammates in scoring positions, and supplying them with precise passes.

The Brazilian has scored four goals and notched seven assists in 21 appearances this season. He has averaged 26 passes per game at 72% accuracy, creating 42 goal-scoring opportunities, completing 27 successful dribbles, making 35 key passes, putting in 22 clearances and 79 recoveries as well. Crivellaro has won 15 aerial duels and Chennaiyin FC will bank heavily on him to deliver adequate returns with the stakes at an all-time high in this match.

Head-to-Head

Played – 26

FC Goa – 15

Chennaiyin FC – 9

Draws – 2

Trivia: FC Goa attacker Noah Sadaoui has scored two goals in four appearances in the ISL against Chennaiyin FC.

Team Talk

“It’s true that FC Goa have never been the champions in the playoffs. The Shield was the most important, as winning it gives a spot in Asia straightaway. However, it’s (playoffs) also a tournament (that we must focus on) at the end of the day,” FC Goa Head Coach Manolo Marquez said in the pre-match press conference, saying that the team needs to place equal importance on the playoffs.

“The FC Goa team that we faced in season six was one of the best ever teams in the ISL, and we managed to oust them across two legs in the semi-finals. That has no bearing in tomorrow’s match but our real focus is to give our absolute best,” Chennaiyin FC Head Coach Owen Coyle said prior to the match.

ISL Fantasy

Noah Sadaoui (8.9cr)

Has garnered 104 ISL fantasy points this season

Carlos Martinez (6.3cr)

Has collected 22 ISL fantasy points in the last two matchweeks

Rafael Crivellaro (6.4cr)

Has been picked by 36% of the ISL fantasy users in their teams

If not registered already, fans can participate in the overall league or club-based leagues based on their preferences. Create private leagues, inviting friends and fellow football aficionados to compete. Prizes include a Sony PlayStation ®️ ️5 gaming console, EA Sports FC 24, signed club merchandise, and a Gift Card worth INR 20,000, which will be awarded to 100 winners at the end of the season. Sign up at: Lobby • ISL Fantasy (indiansuperleague.com)

Where to Watch

Fans across the country can catch the action in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Malayalam. Fans can watch the action on linear channels like Sports18 Khel (Hindi), Sports18 1 HD (English), Sports18 3 SD (English, Hindi, Malayalam and Bengali), VH1 SD & HD (English), Surya Movies (Malayalam), News 18 Kerala (Malayalam – select matches) & DD Bangla (Bengali). Fans can also catch the action streaming Live for free on JioCinema, the home of Indian football. In addition to this, as part of FSDL’s partnership with OneFootball, ISL live streams and highlights of all matches of the upcoming 2023-24 season will be delivered across more than 190 countries.

Courtesy :- ISL Media

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