Chennaiyin FC concede late to suffer slender defeat to Jamshedpur FC

Goa, February 10, 2021: Chennaiyin FC’s hopes of qualifying for the Indian Super League semi-finals were dashed considerably after a 1-0 defeat to Jamshedpur FC on Wednesday night at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim. David Grande’s shot was deflected into his own net by Enes Sipovic in the 90th minute to give his team a win that left Csaba Laszlo’s CFC further off the pace, condemning them to a sixth defeat of the season. With just three league games left to play, Chennaiyin now face an uphill task to qualify, needing to win all their matches and hope for things to go their way elsewhere.

Germanpreet Singh started in place of Anirudh Thapa in midfield, the latter only fit enough for the bench. Left-back Jerry Lalrinzuala’s suspension meant Lalchhuanmawia Fanai came into the side that drew 0-0 against Bengaluru FC in the previous game.

Lallianzuala Chhangte stung TP Rehenesh’s gloves in the fourth minute, cutting in from the left and shooting with this right foot. Thereafter, Chennaiyin showed more energy in the majority of the first period but were unable to penetrate the JFC backline led by Peter Hartley and Stephen Eze. A bright chance fell to young striker Rahim Ali on the half-hour mark from Chhangte’s cut-back, but the former’s goal-bound effort was blocked crucially by Ricky Lallawmawma. 

It was more of the same in the second half, with both teams cancelling each other out for most parts. CFC’s Spanish playmaker Manuel Lanzarote wasn’t really able to impose himself onto proceedings and was withdrawn for Edwin Vanspaul with a quarter of the game to go.

As the game trudged towards completion, both teams hardly created anything of note. But it all happened as the clock struck 90 minutes. CFC had a golden opportunity when the ball broke loose for substitute Thoi Singh who was in on goal, just Rehenesh to beat in front of him. However, instead of shooting, the Manipuri winger chose to square the ball and JFC were able to clear the danger.

From the counterattack, Farukh Choudhary picked out Grande at the edge of the box. The latter cut back in and shot, which took a wicked deflection off Sipovic and beat Vishal Kaith at the near post, with the CFC custodian wrong-footed. It was heartbreak for Chennaiyin, as Owen Coyle’s men saw out the time added on to keep their own hopes of semi-final qualification alive.

Chennaiyin FC 0 lost to Jamshedpur FC 1 (Enes Sipovic (OG) 90’)