Chennaiyin FC returned to winning ways as they managed to pull off a 2-1 victory over FC Pune City in their Hero Indian Super League encounter on Saturday.
Chennaiyin FC settled the quicker of the two teams and were presented with a chance as early as on the 7th minute when Gouramangi Singha s backpass was in no-mana s land. Elano was the quickest to reach for the ball, but Steve Simonsen was quick off the line to avert the danger. FC Pune City was quick to respond with an attack of their own, after Yendrick Ruiz found the time and space for a long shot forcing Karanjit to dive as the shot whizzed past the post.
Chennaiyin FC after their loss to NorthEast United in their previous match, were eager to put that behind and looked to attack from the word go. Jayesh Ranea s cross on the 20th minute created utter chaos inside the box, as the ball found its way to Elano and Simonsen pulled out another astonishing save to deny Chennaiyin FC from surging ahead in the game.
FC Pune City were lucky on the 28th minute when the referee whistled for offside, but Simonsen was forced to save Mendozaa s shot, who controlled the ball beautifully despite pressure from Jhonson.
The Chennaiyin pressure finally paid off in the 34th minute when Dhanachandra Singha s long throw was converted by Bernard Mendy. Dhanchandra, known for his long throws, pulled a Rory Delapesque throw-in and Mendy made no mistake to head it past the goalkeeper. FC Pune City responded on the 43rd minute when Nickey Shoreya s delivery from the freekick found Roger Jhonson, who could only head it wide despite Karanjit completely missing out on the ball after rushing out to collect the ball. FC Pune City had a chance to go into the half time break level with defender Dharamraj Ravanan finding himself clear infront of the goal but Karanjit stood up to the test and tipped the ball for a corner.
The second half started as the first half ended with FC Pune City first to ask any real question in the second half when Ruiz found Sanli, who miscued his shot and will come to rue missing his chance, as Chennaiyin went on to double the lead few minutes later. Mendoza, a constant menace to the Pune City defence, found himself in a one on one situation on the 48th minute after Elanoa s through ball set him clear, and made no mistake to put the ball past a desperate Simonsen.
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Chennaiyina s playmaker Elano was proving hard to mark as he created chances at will, while Pune were forced to try their luck from distance. But it wasna t for long before Platta s substitution did its trick as FC Pune City pulled one back in the 75th minute. Uche headed Ravanana s cross towards goal forcing Karanjit to make a save but could do nothing as he watched Uche reacted the first to a goaline scrabble for the goal.
Chennaiyin had a chance of their own in the 78th minute when Fikru found himself clear in front of the goal but Simonsen and Gouramangi managed to clear their lines. FC Pune City had two quick chances to equalise but Adrian Mutu could only head wide on both occassions. The match ended with the neither teams able to alter the scoreline.
Image Courtesy: ISL Media