Kolkata, October 26, 2026: Chennaiyin FC produced a commanding performance against Mohun Bagan Super Giant in their Indian Super League 2026/27 encounter at the VYBK Stadium on Monday. Despite creating numerous chances and striking the crossbar in the second half, the Marina Machans were edged out 1-0, with Manvir Singh finding the net in the 85th minute.
Chennaiyin weathered the hosts’ early pressure before finding their rhythm in attack. Madih Talal picked out Brison Fernandes with a well-weighted pass in the 12th minute, but the forward’s effort sailed over the bar. Four minutes later, Nikola Stojanovic delivered a cross for Irfan Yadwad, whose header narrowly missed the target.
The visitors grew into the contest, with Talal orchestrating several promising moves. His through ball released Yadwad behind the Mohun Bagan defence in the 27th minute, only for goalkeeper Vishal Kaith to deny the forward with a timely save. Brison threatened again after dribbling past Mehtab Singh, while Namgyal Bhutia found space following a defence-splitting pass from Stojanovic.
Ramon Tanque and Saheef Muhammed combined to create another promising opening in the 37th minute, but Saheef was unable to turn Ramon’s low cross into the net. Mohammad Nawaz then kept Chennaiyin level with a crucial save against Lee Erwin before Kaith denied Talal at the other end just before the interval. Both sides went into half-time with the scores unchanged.
Chennaiyin carried their attacking intent into the second half. Talal once again sent Yadwad through on goal in the 50th minute, but Kaith stood firm. Bhutia and Brison also had attempts as Chennaiyin sought to make their chances count, while Ramon forced the Mohun Bagan goalkeeper into an excellent save with a curling effort in the 59th minute.
Nawaz was equally alert when called upon, keeping out efforts from Erwin and Manvir as the hosts looked for an opener. At the other end, Chennaiyin came within inches of taking the lead in the 78th minute. Ramon drove into the attacking third and sent the ball into the box, where Stojanovic met it with a left-footed strike that rattled the crossbar. Two minutes later, Kaith produced another save to keep out the midfielder’s effort following a pass from Talal.
The decisive moment arrived in the 85th minute when substitute Liston Colaco delivered a cross from the left and Manvir Singh finished from close range after controlling the ball with his chest.
Chennaiyin refused to let up in the closing stages. Saheef tried his luck from distance in stoppage time, while Ramon came close to finding an equaliser with an effort from inside the box following a set-piece. The attempt narrowly missed the target, bringing the encounter to an end.
The Marina Machans will now return to Chennai for their first home fixture of the season, taking on Kerala Blasters FC in the Southern Derby on October 31. Kick-off at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is scheduled for 5 PM.
