Resurgent Chennaiyin FC U-15s extend unbeaten run

Chennai: The Chennaiyin FC Under-15 team registered a 3-0 win over Great Goals U-15s in a 2018-19 Hero Junior League fixture at the SSN College Ground here today. Second half goals from Yugan S., Taufiq Ahamed and substitute Allen Rajkumar contributing to Chennaiyin’s second consecutive victory. With the result, CFC climb to second in the Chennai zone with 10 points from their five games so far. CFC are now unbeaten in their last four outings, their only loss this season coming against Great Goals in the reverse fixture in their league opener.

CFC made two changes to the side that started in the 4-1 win over Chennai City FC U-13s three days back. Rahul K. Manjula and Caron Kennedy made way for the more offensive N. Suriya and Harsha Vardhan R.S.

Chennaiyin controlled majority of the play in the first half, creating several opportunities to open the scoring. The biggest chance fell to skipper Deepak Thapamogar in the opening ten minutes, who sent a penalty kick just wide of the post after striker Yugan was fouled in the Great Goals box.

The CFC forward line of K. Suriya and Yugan was also wasteful, given the promising situations they got into; failing to find the decisive finish.

Defender N. Sivamani carried the ball forward on one instance and clattered the crossbar with his effort, but no CFC attacker got on the end of the rebound. N. Suriya from midfield too had a couple of decent chances to score thereafter, but nothing came of it as it finished goalless at the break.

CFC came out quick off the blocks in the second period and continued taking the game to the opposition. The opening goal eventually arrived in the 55th minute, with Yugan the goalscorer. The striker was in the right place to lash home the rebound after Deepak’s effort was saved by the keeper.

With momentum on their side, Chennaiyin soon made it 2-0 through a special strike by Taufiq. The central midfielder let fly from almost thirty yards, finding the top-right corner with the keeper standing no chance.

K. Suriya should have added to the tally moments later when he went through one-on-one against keeper, but his effort went just wide of the upright.

The third goal did come though, courtesy two second-half substitutes combining. Manish Kumar, who had come in for Harsha Vardhan, assisted Allen who had replaced Yugan moments earlier. Allen made no mistake from close range, making it 3-0 to CFC with his first touch after coming on.

Score: Chennaiyin FC U-15s 3 (Yugan S. 55’; Taufiq Ahamed 63’; Allen Rajkumar 85’) beat Great Goals U-15s 0