At the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur, on a rainy evening, Chennaiyin FC defeated Assam Rifles with a spectacular comeback to win their first game in the 2024 Durand Cup. Even though they were behind in the 75th minute, the Marina Machans managed to win all three points scoring two goals in the closing minutes of the game. Let’s take a look back at some of the game’s most significant moments, from Irfan’s acrobatic effort to Praful’s stoppage-time winner.
Following a 2-1 defeat against Jamshedpur FC, head coach Noel Wilson made just one alteration to the team that was defeated in the previous encounter. Vivek S was replaced on the right wing by Vincy Barretto, who scored an incredible long-range goal in the previous game. Conversely, Assam Rifles FT head coach Vikash Panthi made one change to the team that was defeated by Army Red in the previous match. Karan was replaced in the attacking third by Luntinmang.
The opening opportunity of the match came for Chennaiyin FC in the fourth minute of play when Irfan brought down a long ball from Sachu Siby. Irfan then darted forward and unleashed a shot that was well off-target. Ten minutes or so into the match, Solaimalai curled a dangerous free kick toward the far post, but the Chennaiyin player’s poor first touch denied him the game’s first goal. Just a few seconds later, Vincy broke free to sprint across the right wing and blasted a dangerous cross across the face of the goal, but Irfan Yadwad was not in the box to put the ball in the back of the net.
When Jagannath was hauled down in the box by Praful in the twentieth minute, the referee blew the whistle. While everyone anticipated that the Rifles would be given a penalty, the referee handed the Marina Machans a free kick and booked Jagannath for simulation. A little while afterward, Vincy attempted another risky cross across the goal; this time, Irfan was there, but the ball was just above his head.
Read: Durand Cup 2024 – Jamshedpur FC ends Chennaiyin’s knockout dreams
The first meaningful opportunity of the match came for Komal Thatal about thirty minutes in when he skillfully chested down Praful’s long ball in the opposition box. However, Rifles goalie Shobhan bravely blocked Komal’s effort. After some incredible build-up play by Chennaiyin, Komal had another chance a few moments later when Solaimalai laid the ball to him. Komal cut in and unleashed a goal-bound effort, but the opposing keeper punched it away for a corner.
In the 35th minute when Sachu Siby made a brilliant run forward and played a brilliant pass to Komal who was at the edge of the box. Komal received the ball, twisted and turned, and produced a shot towards the second post, but once again the opposition keeper was up to the task of denying the goal. Minutes later, Komal received yet another opportunity when his first-time effort from the center of the opposition box went way off-target. The first half ended 0-0 despite Chennaiyin dominating the proceedings. Komal would have been really gutted to get into the dressing room without registering his name on the scoresheet.
Coming into the second half, Noel Wilson made one alteration to his midfield as Ganeshpandi was brought on in place of Raman Singh. Around 50 minutes into the game, Komal made a brilliant dribble from the left flank getting the better of his man, but his subsequent cross was way off-target. Romario was booked for a trailing arm on the opposition winger minutes later. Around an hour or so into the game, Vincy found the overlapping Romario in the right wing, whose dangerous cross was shot towards the goal by Irfan with an acrobatic effort. While the striker’s connection was decent, it was not good enough to guide the ball into the back of the net.
For the final thirty minutes of the game, Vivek S took the position of Komal Thatal, who had the most opportunities throughout the first hour or so of the match. Soon after, Solaimalai made a fantastic pass to Irfan, who was unmarked in the opposing box, giving Chennaiyin their best chance of the match. Irfan attempted to score, but Shobhan raced forward to stop him, and the ball landed inches in front of Vincy, who was prepared to tap it into the goal. A few seconds later, Sarfaraz took Jagannath’s position in the Assam Rifles.
In the 76th minute, Jefferson Nongrud headed David’s cross into the far post to score the game’s first goal. The Chennaiyin defense was taken off guard as Nongrud put the ball at the back of the net after Sachu Siby, Samik Mitra, and Bikash Yumnam overlooked David’s cross and looked at each other in confusion. For the final quarter of the match, both coaches made a few adjustments.
Following a reckless challenge on Irfan Yadwad, Chennaiyin FC was given a penalty with a few minutes remaining in the game. After Irfan missed the penalty in the last game, Romario was awarded the ball this time. With one minute of regulation time remaining, Romario made no mistakes as he leveled the score from the spot. At the end of the second half, seven more minutes were added.
The Rifles’ defense made a costly error in the 96th minute of play, allowing Irfan Yadwad to run forward and attempt a goal with his weak left foot, but Shobhan blocked the effort for a corner. The following corner was taken by Solaimalai, who delivered an inch-perfect cross toward the six-yard box, which was headed in by Praful, who was unmarked and jumped above everyone to score the winning goal and give the Marina Machans all three points. Chennaiyin FC won the game 2-1 after mounting a spectacular comeback to record their first victory of the campaign.
Although Chennaiyin FC’s campaign has been a forgettable one, head coach Noel Wilson would be pleased to finish the campaign with a victory. The rise of local players like Solaimalai, who has been nothing short of extraordinary, would make the Marina Machans happier than the outcomes. A few first-team players have gained some playing time, while young players like Praful and Vivek S are starting to show promise. Chennaiyin FC will be looking to take these positives home with them as the first team begins their ISL preparations. Regarding the Assam Rifles, their campaign comes to a close without a victory. But when they grabbed the lead today, they gave Chennaiyin a scare, and they would be proud of that.
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