Defending champion Hindustan Eagles scripted its second successive victory with a 2-1 verdict over Chennai City FC in a senior division match of the St. Joseph’s-Chennai Football Association league here on Sunday.
Neither team showed the requisite enterprise and nous to match their reputation. If CCFC was ineffective in the midfield and error-prone in the striking zone in the first session, Eagles were marginally better in the midfield with the strikers unable to find the target even once.
CCFC’s Onwubuakiri Ikechukwu Joseph had the best of the opportunity in the 31st minute when Morgan Justice provided him with a gem of a pass, but the former hit it wide over the post. Eagles struck with three minutes remaining for the breather, through a back-header from O. Francis. After watching the ‘keeper Sounesh fast-approaching, the Nigerian deftly headed a long ball by Francis Sangma into the goal.
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If one thought that CCFC, the first division champion, would come back roaring, it was not to be. Eagles crippled midfielder Regin and that made things easier for the reigning champion.
The second goal by Eagles was a well-executed one. Side-stepping a defender Francis gave a wonderful pass to Nanda Kumar who anticipated it and fired a firm shot into the net. The match witnessed some rough play resulting in a red card being issued to Soosai Raj (CCFC) and Izoalex Chimezie (Eagles).
Regin reduced the margin for CCFC by converting a free-kick towards the end. There are no matches on Monday.
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The results: Senior div.: Hindustan Eagles 2 (O. Francis 42, Nanda Kumar 64) bt Chennai City FC 1 (Regin 88). First div.: SAI 1 (Ashok Kumar 49) bt Central Excise 0.