Chennaiyin FC (CFC) punished goalmouth lapses by Mumbai City FC with two opportunistic strikes from Bruno Pelissari and Dhanachandra Singh in the Indian Super League football here on Sunday. Substitute Cristian Hidalgo slotted home a free-kick for the third goal. It was the 10th match for both teams.
The 3-0 away victory at the D.Y. Patil stadium kept the visitors ahead of the pack (19 points). Three points matter, despite the low quality of play on display and frequent fouls by Chennaiyin FC aimed at disrupting the home team’s rhythm. Three second half goals were the saving grace.
Pelissari punished a defensive mistake in the 72nd minute with a stab to Subrata Paul’s right. Dhanachandra reacted first to a block by the custodian and saw his carpet drive roll in through a cluster of legs.
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Hidalgo’s free-kick goal broke the monotony of miskicks and dour defending.
Nicholas Anelka’s master class with the ball for Mumbai was ruled out as he was rested, nor was dead-ball specialist Elano Blumer present to excite fans with the prospect of admiring his wicked free-kicks.
None of the others displayed the touch which comes naturally to these maestros, till Spain’s Hidalgo gave the football fans one exciting moment to savour.
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With Anelka not around, teammate Andre Moritz was at the receiving end of tough tackles, with Chennaiyin FC denying the bearded Brazilian time to express himself via slick passing. Djemba Djemba picked up a yellow card for fouling the Mumbai playmaker.
Chennaiyin FC custodian Bracigliano on the goalline blocked a Moritz try after the latter cut in from the left with a neat feint. The rebound rolled towards Diego Nadaya, whose hasty effort hit a defender and bounced away. It was the closest either side came close to scoring in a drab first half.
The game took an unexpected twist in the 31st minute as Moritz came off the field with a hamstring strain and marquee player Fredrik Ljungberg took his place.
The Swede’s entry was greeted with roars from the home fans, though nothing happened thereafter to justify the hero’s welcome. Mumbai lost the second match at home.
Chennaiyin FC defence breathed easy with no Moritz and no Anelka to torment it. Subash Singh’s pace and direct approach was missing in Mumbai’s attacks on the right, the ball was floated out into space and no one was in position to receive the ball.
He came in after the breather, but with no service from the midfield, it was a gamble which flopped.
The result: Chennaiyin FC 3 (Bruno Pelissari 72, Dhanachandra Singh 81, Cristian Hidalgo 89) bt Mumbai City FC 0.