Indian Super League (ISL) club Chennaiyin FC came from a goal down to beat Assam Rifles FT 2-1 in the Durand Cup 2024 at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Stadium in Jamshedpur on Sunday. The Marina Machans’ final match of the tournament unfolded dramatically, as late goals from Alexander Romario Jesuraj and Praful V turned the tie in their favor.

Assistant coach Noel Wilson named a largely unchanged side from the previous match against Jamshedpur FC, with Vincy Barretto’s inclusion as the only difference from the start.

A patient start aside, the Marina Machans grew into the game as the half progressed. Wilson's side was prudent with the ball, cycling possession before finding the runner in behind with a precision pass. The passes out from midfield usually found its way to the right flank, an especially fruitful avenue for the ISL side during the first half.

Komal Thatal was at the end of Chennaiyin FC’s best chances in the first half. The winger was twice denied a stunning goal by the fingertips of goalkeeper Shobhan Dev Biswas, while he himself blasted a shot over the bar from close range at the cusp of halftime.

The Marina Machans finished the first half with five shots, two of those on target, and picked up where they had left off immediately after the restart. With Komal withdrawn for Vivek S, Irfan Yadwad became the main source of Chennaiyin FC’s attacking threat.

The forward nearly scored the goal of the tournament with a bicycle kick attempt in the 61st minute; four minutes later, he darted in behind the Assam Rifles FT’s backline but saw his shot stifled by Biswas.

Assam Rifles FT took the lead against the run of play in the 76th minute. A dangerous, curling cross from the left eluded bodies in the box and crept toward the far post, where Jefferson Nongrud nudged it in.

The Marina Machans, however, kept working hard to create an opening and were rewarded for their efforts with a spot kick in the 88th minute, following a tackle on Irfan. With the forward receiving treatment, Romario stepped up to the spot and confidently rolled the ball into the corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.

With time running out, Irfan drove a shot across the box that Biwas smartly tipped away from behind for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, centerback Praful flicked the ball into the net to sensationally win the match for Chennaiyin FC.

Punjab FC edge three past Mumbai City FC

ISL club Punjab FC registered a comfortable 3-0 victory over Mumbai City FC courtesy of a double from Norwegian Mushaga Bakenga and an injury-time strike from Filip Mrzljak at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

The Shers finished their group stage campaign with seven points, the same as Kerala Blasters FC, but the Blasters qualified for the knockouts as group winners on virtue of their superior goal difference.

Punjab FC are currently the best second-placed team in the tournament, but the Shers will have to wait for the results of the other matches to confirm their place in the knockouts.

Punjab FC head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis made two changes to his starting eleven, with Croatian defender Ivan Novoselec coming in for Melroy Assisi and Nitesh Darjee for Khaimingthang Lhungdim in left back.

Mumbai City FC started Harsh Kadam in goal and Christopher Rajkumar as the lone man upfront as Mohan Suresh Dass set his boys out for their last game of the tournament.

Punjab FC started on the front foot, putting pressure on the young Mumbai City FC side. Harsh Kadam was forced into two early saves, denying Vinit Rai and Mrzljak the early lead. Punjab FC, for all their possession, could not create any meaningful chances from that point on. Mumbai City FC defended deep inside their own half with resilience, frustrating the Shers.

Punjab FC looked impatient in their build-up, wasting their chances as the service to the forwards was lacking, which also made life easier for the impressive Mumbai City FC defense in the first half.

Punjab FC received a penalty at the start of the second half as Mumbai City FC defender Arsh Bhagawan handled the ball inside the box. The penalty was blasted over the crossbar by Luka Majcen, and minutes later substitute Mushaga Bakenga missed a sitter, adding to the frustrations for the Shers.

Punjab FC finally broke the resilient Mumbai City FC defense in the 62nd minute when Mrzljak expertly found Bakenga in the far post, and the new signing found the goal with a well-placed header. The next thirty minutes of the game were a story of missed opportunities for Punjab FC. They missed a hoard of chances to increase their lead as they continued to be wasteful in front of goal.

The Shers finally scored twice in added time as Mrzljak found the bottom corner of the goal with a left-footer after being set up by Muhammed Suhail, and in the last minute of the game, Bakenga converted a penalty to give the Shers a 3-0 victory and secure all three points to make them in a position to qualify for the knockouts.

 

 

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Mumbai City FCChennaiyin FCPunjab FC2023-2024