ISL: High-octane draw between Chennaiyin and NorthEast United
Both team share spoils in an entertaining stalemate
By : t.n. raghu
Update: 2014-11-09 00:38 GMT
Chennai: Chennaiyin fluffed a golden opportunity to grab the lead in the Indian Super League after they were held 2-2 by NorthEast United in a riveting match here on Saturday. The home team led twice only to allow the visitors to equalise with two sumptuous volleys.Chennaiyin were unlucky to be denied a cast-iron penalty when United goalkeeper Rehenesh T.P. brought down substitute Balwant Singh in the 73rd minute, with the teams locked at 1-1.
Elano, who is becoming a credible rival to his co-owner M.S. Dhoni in terms of popularity here, would be gutted that his seventh and eighth goals of the league were enough only for a point. The Brazilian midfielder cut in from the left to put Chennaiyin 2-1 ahead in the 78th minute but Koke spoiled the hosts’ party with a superb volley from the left edge of the six-yard box.
It was a fitting end to an absorbing match, even though Chennaiyin will still be sore with the denied penalty.Like all the three previous home matches of Chennaiyin, the supplier of the hosts’ opening goal was a certain midfielder from Samba land. Elano headed in a left-wing cross form Denson Devadas in the 25th minute to set off the fireworks at the packed stadium. He sneaked in behind United’s Joan Capdevila, a World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, to meet the inch-perfect assist.
Marco Materazzi also deserves credit for the goal as he had sent Devadas clear with a fine diagonal pass from the middle. It was Elano’s first goal from open play. Chennaiyin’s lead lasted a little more than 10 minutes. United right-back Aiborlang Khongjee fired a cross from the right and Englishman James Keene headed it on the bounce for Seimeinlen Doungel to slot the ball expertly on the volley. The stadium was stunned into silence. Barring the goals, the first half was largely anaemic.