Counter-attacking Chennaiyin FC B beat Bengaluru FC B 3-2 in Hero 2nd Division League opener

Chennai, January 27, 2020: The Chennaiyin FC B team got their Hero 2nd Division League campaign off to the perfect start with a 3-2 win over Bengaluru FC at the SSN College Ground here on Monday. Karaikal-born Senthamizhi S. scored the winner in the 85th minute after Balkar Singh had cancelled out BFC’s opener in the first half and Zonunmawia had given the hosts the lead in the second period. CFC will be aiming to build momentum with another victory as they take on Bhawanipore FC in their second home game on Friday. 

Led by experienced Head Coach Santosh Kashyap, CFC began the game brightly with the likes of Bibin Boban, Zonunmawia and Joysana Singh part of the starting eleven. But BFC did see more of the ball as the half progressed and had a penalty awarded to them on 33 minutes when defender Pranav Chauhan fouled Roshan Singh in the box. Biswa Kr. Darjee stepped up and scored from the spot to make it 1-0 to the visitors.

But BFC’s joy was short-lived as CFC equalized three minutes later in stunning fashion on the counter. Bibin’s pass found Balkar in space on the right, the latter scoring with a chip over the BFC goalkeeper from outside the box.

Chennaiyin ended the half strongly creating a couple of chances but it stayed level at the break.

BFC started the second period better, almost scoring through Mohammed Rafi’s header in the 51st minute from a set-piece. CFC Head Coach Kashyap threw on some fresh legs soon after as Tamil Nadu forward Senthamizhi came on for Joysana Singh on 57 minutes.

And just past the hour mark, CFC made it 2-1 against the run of play and it was again Hoshiarpur-born Balkar at the heart of the action.

The striker got on the end of a Zonunmawia pass on the break and cut past a defender to go through on goal. His shot was saved by BFC keeper Sujith, but the rebound fell to Zonunmawia who made no mistake from close range.

BFC came hard at CFC in search of the equalizer and got it ten minutes later through Advait, who headed in from Jagdeep Singh’s cross.

CFC made their last change with the game into the final ten minutes as Sahil Kumar replaced Charles Britto. And the former had a role to play in CFC’s winner just two minutes later. 

It all started with wing-back Ahino Paul finding Sahil, who played a delightful cross-field pass to Zonunmawia. The Mizo midfielder found Senthamizhi who scored to round off a stunning third goal on the counter-attack.