Chennaiyin FC went down fighting in Saturday’s Indian Super League 2024-25 match against Bengaluru FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium by a 4-2 scoreline. (Match Highlights)
With captain Ryan Edwards missing, head coach Owen Coyle named an all-Indian backline, composed of Laldinliana Renthlei, Bikash Yumnam, PC Laldinpuia, and Mandar Rao Dessai. Further upfield, Connor🎶 Shields returned to the eleven, while Daniel Chima Chukwu and Irfan Yadwad led the line.
The first half kick𒁃ed off with both custodians producingꦛ early saves, setting the stage for an eventful opening.
Bengaluru drew first blood in the 16th minute, with Ryan Williams volleying the ball home from close range. However, Chennaiyin bounced back instantly after Lukas Brambilla won the ball high up the pitch and laid it on a plate f💮or Irfan to tap in.
Having snatched the momentum, the Marina Machans tu🐈rned the screw on their opponents, with Irfan giving the Bengaluru defence plenty to think about.
Against the run of play, Sunil Chhetri nodded Bengaluru back in front in the 43rd minute, only for Lalrinliana Hnamte to cancel Chhetri’s strike with his first goal of the season at the other end, minutes later. Stealing behind the defence, Hnamte got his head to a long throw from Bikash, beating Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal. 2-2, the first half finished.
After the break, Nawaz made two critical saves while Irfan came close at the hour mark, displaying tenacity and skill and going close to finding the target. However, Williams’ second goal in the 68th minute and an unfortunate Dinliana own goal in the 82nd minute widened Bengaluru’s lead. Despite late chances for Wilmar Jordan Gil and Kiyan Nassiri, Chennaiyin were unable to overturn the deficit, concluding a chaಞllenging outing.
Chennaiyin will look to bounce back in the new year, when they take on Odisha FC at home on January 9, 2025 while Bengaluru FC will travel to Jamshedpur on Janurary 4, 2025.
