Chennaiyin FC made its way into the group stage of the AFC Cup by defeating Colombo FC 1-0 in the play-off tie at The Arena by TransStadia here on Wednesday.
Chennaiyin FC striker Jeje Lalpekhlua vies for possession against Colombo FC in the AFC Cup in Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad:
It was the home side which began the knockout tie on a positive note. Chris Herd made a masterful interception in the early stages and set it up for Thoi Singh, who was brought down. Isaac Vanmalsawma whipped in a teasing cross from the resulting free-kick, but skipper Mailson Alves headed it well over the crossbar.
Around the quarter hour mark, CK Vineeth stole the ball and fed Thoi in the right flank. The latter put in a brilliant delivery into the far post, but Isaac couldn’t get the touch that mattered. Full-back Laldinliana Renthlei then ran the full length of the pitch and supplied a similar cross. But Chalana Chameera prevented Jeje from getting a touch in the six-yard area. In the 25th minute, Raphael Augusto’s deflected long-ranger went just above the bar.
Though Chennaiyin created four meaningful chances in the first phase, it was the away outfit which tested the goalkeeper first. Colombo midfielder Isaac Addevu forced a save off Karanjit Singh, who pushed the effort away. The custodian was once again called into action in the 33rd minute when he parried away a corner. Despite some end-to-end stuff in the opening period, both teams headed for the break with the scoreline reading 0-0.
Even after the interval, it was the host that took the initiative first. Vineeth kick-started a counter-attack for a second time in the game and played a well-weighted ball to Thoi.
By the time Thoi turned in a cross, the loanee made his way to the centre of the box but couldn’t direct his header on goal.
The same combination worked out an opportunity in the 56th minute as well, with the former Bengaluru FC forward chesting the ball, turning around and hitting over. Jeje finally brought some smiles to the home fans by nicking the first goal in the 68th minute. Chalana and Duckson Puslas failed to clear a cross from Tondonba Singh and the Mizoram-based lad pounced at the right time.
After a couple of minutes, Chennaiyin shotstopper Karanjit made two good saves to keep John Gregory’s men ahead. The victor saw out the final quarter of the match and held on to a 1-0 win.
A Jeje Lalpekhlua strike in the 68th minute helped the host join Minerva Punjab, Dhaka Abahani (Bangladesh) and Manang Marshyangdi (Nepal) in Group E of the continental competition. By virtue of the triumph, Chennaiyin carved its name on the history books by becoming the first Indian Super League (ISL) franchise to enter the tournament proper.
It was the home side which began the knockout tie on a positive note. Chris Herd made a masterful interception in the early stages and set it up for Thoi Singh, who was brought down. Isaac Vanmalsawma whipped in a teasing cross from the resulting free-kick, but skipper Mailson Alves headed it well over the crossbar.
Around the quarter hour mark, CK Vineeth stole the ball and fed Thoi in the right flank. The latter put in a brilliant delivery into the far post, but Isaac couldn’t get the touch that mattered. Full-back Laldinliana Renthlei then ran the full length of the pitch and supplied a similar cross. But Chalana Chameera prevented Jeje from getting a touch in the six-yard area. In the 25th minute, Raphael Augusto’s deflected long-ranger went just above the bar.
Though Chennaiyin created four meaningful chances in the first phase, it was the away outfit which tested the goalkeeper first. Colombo midfielder Isaac Addevu forced a save off Karanjit Singh, who pushed the effort away. The custodian was once again called into action in the 33rd minute when he parried away a corner. Despite some end-to-end stuff in the opening period, both teams headed for the break with the scoreline reading 0-0.
Even after the interval, it was the host that took the initiative first. Vineeth kick-started a counter-attack for a second time in the game and played a well-weighted ball to Thoi.
By the time Thoi turned in a cross, the loanee made his way to the centre of the box but couldn’t direct his header on goal.
The same combination worked out an opportunity in the 56th minute as well, with the former Bengaluru FC forward chesting the ball, turning around and hitting over. Jeje finally brought some smiles to the home fans by nicking the first goal in the 68th minute. Chalana and Duckson Puslas failed to clear a cross from Tondonba Singh and the Mizoram-based lad pounced at the right time.
After a couple of minutes, Chennaiyin shotstopper Karanjit made two good saves to keep John Gregory’s men ahead. The victor saw out the final quarter of the match and held on to a 1-0 win.