Chennai: Chennaiyin FC’s hopes of making the play-off in ISL-3 were diminished after NorthEast United eked out a 3-3 draw with an equaliser coming in the dying seconds of the stoppage time.
The home side were the first to open their account 11 minutes before half-time after a beautifully crafted cross from right-back Mehrajuddin Wadoo was directed to the near post from a headed effort by Nigerian Dudu Omagbemi. The visitors were quick to draw level within four minutes after Argentinian Nicolas Velez sent a bullet through the net. One minute before half-time Chennaiyin took the lead, again through Dudu.
After half-time, the visitors made their intentions clear by not giving away three points without a fight. Velez equalised for NorthEast after sending a powerful volley from outside the box just five minutes into the second half.
Too many stoppages in the second half due to injuries seemed to cut the momentum for the home side but the pivotal moment came when Bernard Mendy was bought in place of Hans Mulder. Playing a central attacking role, Mendy helped Dudu complete his hat-trick with nine minutes of play left.
The defending champions were stunned when NorthEast defender Shouvik Ghosh made it 3-3, with an impressive header off a corner. Earlier, Chennaiyin FC started off with an attacking formation. Uruguayan Emiliano Alfaro had a shot on goal after a series of well-knit passes only to be saved by a diving Chennaiyin goalkeeper Kanrajit Singh.
Chennayin will play their next match against FC Goa on December 1, a team which is also alongside Chennai at the bottom of the table.
Dynamos host FC Goa
Delhi Dynamos coach Gianluca Zambrotta is aware that it would be foolish to ignore FC Goa’s challenge in their quest for a semi-final berth just because they are at the bottom in the league.
With three matches left to be played, the Dynamos are placed fourth with 17 points from 11 matches and need a win against FC Goa on Sunday. On the other hand, FC Goa can mathematically still qualify for the semi-finals but the Goans have only a 0.001 per cent chance of qualification.
