Chennai FC and Hindustan Eagles were involved in an engaging contest, which ended in a 3-3 draw, in the St. Joseph’s-Chennai Football Association senior division league here on Sunday.
Playing without key striker N.D. Opara after doubts were raised about his inter-State transfer eligibility, CFC managed to play with intensity and imagination to dominate the proceedings.
However, the absence of its talismanic player seemed to hurt the team.
First strikeNirmal opened the account for CFC, taking a long ball and putting it past goalkeeper Siyas who was a tad slow in reacting to the situation.
Attacking relentlessly from the flanks, Eagles equalised, thanks to a brilliant piece of dribbling by Nandha Kumar from the left.
He moved past two defenders, including Suraj, from almost near the half-line.
Once inside the box, he passed the ball to Prince Sobah who chipped it over ’keeper Montu Mallick.
CFC’s Jagaba Hamza Anaba was in the thick of things throughout.
Off his very first opportunity, the Nigerian showed what he was capable of.
A toe-poke, from about 15 yards, went over the post, but not before taking the ’keeper by surprise.
A defensive blunder from Eagles saw CFC take the lead again, with six minutes remaining for the break.
Tuishim Mashangva’s poor clearance saw Edwin Sydney Vanspaul pouncing on the ball.
Paying the penaltyHamza missed a golden opportunity when his header missed the right post by a whisker off an excellent cross from Raja Pandi.
Soon, Eagles made it 2-2 after Anup Yoonge brought down Prince Sobah. Sonam Zanngpo Bhutia converted the resulting penalty without fuss.
Eagles earned its second penalty after a handball by Gnanasekaran, this time it was Francis Okechukkwu who scored.
A determined CFC kept up the tempo and Hamza, with a firm header, levelled the tie with three minutes remaining.
Eagles, reduced to 10 after Aravindan was shown the red card (two yellows) for a foul on substitute Ananth Murali, played out the added time of five minutes safely.
The results:
Senior division: Chennai FC 3 (Nirmal 4, Edwin Sydney Vanspaul 38, Jagaba Hamza Anaba 88) drew with Hindustan Eagles 3 (Princes Sobah 13, Sonam Zanngpo Bhutia 71-pen, Francis Okechukkwu 82-pen).
First division: YMSC 3 (D. Gerald 29, Ilavarasan 31 & 63) bt Madona Matrix 0.
