Jamshedpur FC ensured that new Chennaiyin FC head coach Owen Coyle didn’t make a winning start to life in the Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2019-20 after holding the two-time champions to a 1-1 draw at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Monday. Nerijus Valskis opened the scoring in the first half but the home team managed a late equaliser to earn a point from the match.

  • Nerijus Valskis gave Chennaiyin FC the lead in the 26th minute.
  • Substitute Isaac Vanmalsawma’s shot took a deflection off Farukh Choudhary and went in to make the score 1-1 in the 89th minute.

The opening 25 minutes saw both sides fail to create any clear-cut chances as the visitors shaded possession by getting the better of the midfield battle for the most part. Chennaiyin made their possession count in the 26th and it came following some neat build up play. Rafael Crivellaro twisted and turned on the edge of the box before finding Valskis with an intelligent pass. The in-form Lithuanian then made no mistake and executed a slick finish to put the Marina Machans ahead by a goal.

The home side upped the ante after going behind with Farukh looking especially dangerous. The Indian winger was proving to be a constant menace on the flanks and even created a few half-chances with some dangerous crosses. However, a combination of good defending by Chennaiyin and Jamshedpur’s inability to get on the end of any of those crosses meant that the two-time champions had a 1-0 lead to protect in the second half.

The second period followed a similar pattern to that of the first with the action mostly being restricted to the center of the park. However, the game opened up after the hour-mark with chances coming thick and fast for both teams. Chennaiyin had a good opportunity to double their lead in the 63rd minute after Crivellaro released Lallianzuala Chhangte on the left. Chhangte’s shot, though, was hit straight at the goalkeeper, much to the relief of the home crowd.

Jamshedpur went up the other end and responded with a deflected shot that was put behind for a corner. They saw another effort go wide in the 72nd minute when Aniket Jadhav volleyed a corner at target from the edge of the box but Germanpreet Singh got a crucial touch to divert it wide.

Chennaiyin then had the chance to secure the three points in the 80th minute when Chennaiyin caught Jamshedpur’s defence napping. Chhangte found himself with time and space to pick out a cross from the left for Andre Schembri but his ball was overhit.

They were made to pay for their wastefulness a minute from normal time after some quick feet by Aniket helped set up Isaac Vanmalsawma, whose shot deflected off Farukh before going into the back of the net. The goal set up a grandstand finish with both teams pushing for the winner and Farukh even tried to direct an Aniket effort goalwards deep into injury time. His attempt though was off target and as both teams eventually settled for a point.

Hero of the Match – Farukh Choudhary

Farukh Choudhary was a constant threat for Chennaiyin FC’s defence throughout the 90 minutes. He marauded up and down the flanks and played a role in Jamshedpur’s equaliser, making him the Hero of the Match.

AWARDS

Club Award – Jamshedpur FC and Chennaiyin FC

Maruti Suzuki Limitless Player of the Match – Isaac Vanmalsawma

DHL Winning Pass of the Match – Sumeet Passi

ISL Emerging Player of the Match – Lallianzuala Chhangte

Hero of the Match – Farukh Choudhary

Watch the match highlights here:

Related tags:

Chennaiyin FCJamshedpur FCMatch 35, JFC vs CFC - 2019 Match Report2019-2020