With both teams edging for the vacant sixth spot in the standings, the Juan Pedro Benali-coached side took a decisive step forward, thanks to the goal by the in-form Jithin MS. However, two late strikes by defenders Ankit Mukherjee and Aakash Sangwan helped the Marina Machans secure their third straight win.

Chennaiyin FC are peaking at the right time, and they now stand at 27 points from 21 matches in the competition. With 23 points from as many matches, NorthEast United FC cannot catch up to them even if they win their only remaining fixture against Odisha FC. With 24 points and a match left to play, East Bengal FC are still in the tussle for the sixth spot with Chennaiyin FC.

Jithin MS has been one of the most in-form NorthEast United FC attackers in the last few games and he teed up with his teammate Parthib Gogoi admirably to draw the first blood after a listless opening half of the game. As the Highlanders pushed Chennaiyin FC behind with a quick offensive move, their forwards took positions accurately centred by the sprinting Jithin. Parthib is known to be lethal from distance but he curbed those instincts perhaps factoring in the greater interests of the team. His pass for Jithin was well weighted, and he did well to deposit it into the Chennaiyin FC net in the 49th minute.

Parthib’s awareness on this instance was perhaps a result of his two earlier failed attempts at hitting the target from outside of the box. In the 23rd minute, his shot missed hitting the net by a slight distance, with the ball flying over the crossbar. Sixteen minutes later, Redeem Tlang trusted Parthib on the edge of the box, laying off a pass for the youngster whose attempt at goal was blocked.

However, Chennaiyin FC recovered rhythm as the game entered its final 20-odd minutes. Their equaliser came arguably in the most unlikeliest of ways, with Aakash Sangwan’s attempt from the corner somehow getting lobbed into the back of the net on the bottom left corner to help Chennaiyin FC restore parity.

The Marina Machans steadily increased the intensity thereafter, with their domestic forwards at the centre of it all. Rahim Ali and Irfan Yadwad kept winning fouls, trying hard to make something out of set-pieces. However, as the clock hit the 91st minute mark, Rahim spotted Mukherjee in a goal-scoring position on the right side of the box. The fullback collected the assist delicately, before putting the ball into the bottom left corner to secure three points for Chennaiyin FC.

Key Performer of the Match

Ankit Mukherjee (Chennaiyin FC)

The fullback completed 11 out of his 18 passes, winning two tackles, making a couple of crosses, intercepting once, and bagging the eventual winner of the contest.

What’s next for both teams?

Chennaiyin FC will play next against FC Goa on April 14, whereas NorthEast United FC return to action against Odisha FC on April 13.

Brief Scores

Chennaiyin FC 2 (Aakash Sangwan 72’, Ankit Mukherjee 90+1’) – 1 NorthEast United FC (Jithin MS 49’)

Stat Pack

Points Table

Courtesy :- ISL Media

Click here to check the Fixture, News and Standing of Indian Super League (ISL).

Click here to check the Fixture, News and Standing of Mumbai Premier league

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian Football.

The post Chennaiyin FC notches crucial win in quest of 6th spot as NorthEast United FC crashes out of playoffs race appeared first on Football Counter.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz (9’) gave KBFC the lead by scoring his third goal of the campaign prior to Sahal Abdul Samad (38’) doubling the advantage before halftime. Adrian Luna (79’) then scored his first goal of the season to put the result beyond any doubt in the second half.

Jorge Diaz sent his team into an early lead after a lofted through ball found the striker in ample space behind CFC’s backline. His right-footed shot towards the bottom left corner gave no chance to Vishal Kaith to make a save. Prabhsukhan Gill was called into action just before the half-hour mark who made a brilliant right-handed save to keep away a header from his own defender. Germanpreet Singh had a fabulous opportunity to score the equaliser just before the drinks break but his shot from roughly 12-yards out went wide to the shock of his teammates.

Sahal Abdul Samad then extended the lead by scoring from inside the box after a poor clearance from Kaith handed the ball to KBFC forwards in his own half. Sahal’s initial shot was blocked by Reagan Singh but the midfielder made no mistake with the rebound and calmly placed the ball in the back of the net. Vazquez then had the chance to score a third before halftime but he could not beat the goalkeeper from a one-on-one situation.

Salam Singh and Lukasz Gikiewicz were sent as halftime changes from Bozidar Bandovic to influence the game. Lalthathanga Khawlhring became the first player to get booked for a foul in the second half which was less eventful than the first. Despite sustained periods of pressure, CFC did not have a clear scoring opportunity until the second drinks break.

Post the resumption of the match, Adrian Luna opened his account with a powerful right-footed strike following a lack of communication amongst the CFC defenders. The Yellow Army remained in control of the match post the third goal and secured another three points with back-to-back 3-0 wins.

Kerala Blasters FC await the challenge of Jamshedpur FC in their next game at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Sunday. Chennaiyin FC on the other hand will get a week’s rest before their clash against Bengaluru FC at the same venue on Thursday.

The post Kerala Blasters sweep aside Chennaiyin to breach top-four places appeared first on Football Counter.