KOLKATA — Manvir
Singh and Remsanga scored a goal each in injury time as Mohammedan SC came from
behind to hold Chennaiyin FC to a 2-2 draw in the Indian Super League (ISL)
2024-25 season at the Kishore Bharati Stadium on Wednesday night.
Laldinpuia Pachua opened the scoring for Chennaiyin FC in
the 10th minute before Lukas Brambilla doubled the lead in the 49th minute.
Manvir Singh brought Mohammedan SC back into the game in added time (90+5’)
before Remsanga found the equaliser (90+12’) late in the game. However, Connor
Shields with two sensational assists, now leads the assists charts this season
(8).
It was a slow start, with both teams looking to settle their
nerves before making those extravagant passes. Mohammedan SC looked a very upbeat
unit, with Mirjalol Kasimov playing a more attacking role in the absence of
Alexis Gomez. The Uzbek midfielder ventured forward and combined well with
Carlos Franca. He also tried his luck from long range but failed to test
Mohammed Nawaz in goal.
Despite the good start, the home team found themselves
trailing in the 10th minute when Connor Shields’s delivery from a flag kick
found Laldinpuia in the penalty area, completely unmarked. The defender calmly
headed it past Padam Chhetri in goal to hand the Marina Machans an early lead
against the run of play. The goal gave that extra bit of confidence to
Chennaiyin FC as they moved the ball better than before. In the 20th minute,
Mohammedan SC almost found the equaliser when Franca powered through Elsinho with
a marauding run, driving into the penalty area. However, the Brazilian’s
subsequent effort was slightly off target.
Andrey Chernyshov’s men got another opportunity in the 28th
minute when Nawaz recklessly brought down Remsanga in the penalty area. It was
a golden chance for the hosts to claw their way back into the game but Nawaz
redeemed himself by denying Kasimov from the spot. It was also their third
missed spot-kick of the ongoing season.
The first half ended with a sensational opportunity for
Chennaiyin FC to double the lead when Lukas Brambilla unleashed Wilmar Jordan
Gil through on goal. With only the goalkeeper to beat, the Colombian hammered
it on target but Padam was positioned correctly to deny him the goal.
Chernyshov bolstered his forward line by bringing on Adison Singh to facilitate
Franca at the start of halftime. Meanwhile, Laldinliana Renthlei came on for
Ankit Mukherjee for the visitors.
Chennaiyin FC started the second half with a lot more
intensity and they latched onto Kasimov’s indecisiveness to open up the
Mohammedan SC backline. Shields recycled the possession before releasing
Brambilla, who drove into the box before slotting it past Padam to double the
lead in the 49th minute.
It was a feisty second half with plenty of tackles flying in
from both teams. Mohammedan SC moved the ball slowly, failing to challenge
Chennaiyin FC’s backline. On the other hand, the early goal in the second
period allowed the visitors to take their foot off the pedal.
The hosts had an opportunity to get back in the game when
Kasimov’s long pass was headed into the penalty box by Florent Ogier. The ball
reached Joe Zoherliana but the defender’s subsequent effort trembled the
crossbar on its way out. The Black and Whites continued squandering chances when
Franca glided past defenders on the left flank before drilling a cross into the
penalty area. Vanlalzuidika Chhakchhuak arrived in time but his shot was a
whisker away from goal.
Intending to close out the game, Owen Coyle brought on
Daniel Chima Chukwu and Vignesh Dakshinamurthy replacing Brambilla and Bikash
Yumnam. The final ten minutes of the regulation time saw Mohammedan SC throw
bodies forward with the intention of breaking down the Chennaiyin FC backline.
They were eventually rewarded when two substitutes Makan Winkle Chothe and
Manveer Saini combined with the latter hammering home the goal in added time
following a fine touch in the penalty area.
The hosts had an inspiring finish with a flurry of attacks
and they eventually breached the Chennaiyin FC backline when Laldinpuia clipped
Manvir in the penalty box awarding a penalty to Mohammedan SC. Laldinpuia
received marching orders for his reckless challenge, reducing the visitors to
10 men. But things took a dramatic turn for Chennaiyin FC when Remsanga stepped
up and converted from the spot (90+12) to hand the hosts a memorable draw at
home.
Mohammedan SC will next travel to Mumbai to lock horns with
Mumbai City FC on January 26 whereas Chennaiyin FC will return home to host
Mohun Bagan Super Giant on January 21.
