Wasteful Chennaiyin FC slump to 2-0 defeat against Hyderabad FC
Goa, January 31, 2021: Chennaiyin FC slumped to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Hyderabad FC at the Tilak Maidan on Sunday evening. Goals in each half from forwards Fran Sandaza and Joel Chianese were enough to see off the two-time champions, who put in a spirited display in the second period but failed to take their chances.
Enes Sipovic was suspended in central defence after picking up his fourth yellow card against Mumbai City FC last time out, replaced by Deepak Tangri who slotted in alongside Eli Sabia at the back. Young Indian forward Rahim Ali started in the forward line as Slovakian Jakub Sylvestr dropped to the bench.
It was a largely disappointing first period from Csaba Laszlo’s CFC, who failed to string passes together and kept giving the ball away. Portuguese forward Isma Goncalves came closest to troubling Laxmikant Kattimani in the HFC goal, when his volley went wide following an Eli Sabia flick-on following a corner kick.
The hosts deservedly took the lead two minutes later when a defence-splitting pass from Joao Victor picked out Sandaza’s run into the CFC box. The latter skipped past Tangri and finished low with his left foot to make it 1-0.
Laszlo rung in the changes at half-time, bringing on Fatkhulo Fatkhulloev and Edwin Vanspaul in place of Thoi Singh and Germanpreet Singh, respectively. And it had a positive and offensive impact, as CFC looked more dangerous.
The first chance after the break surprisingly fell to defender Eli Sabia, who charged forward and played a one-two with Isma that sent him clear. The Brazilian’s powerful shot clattered the crossbar and went over, merely inches from the leveller.
CFC had a penalty claim soon after, when a raking cross-field ball from Eli found Jerry Lalrinzuala’s run on the left, that took him into the box. Just as Jerry was about to cut it across goal, HFC right-back Ashish Rai looked to have brought down the former. However the referee was unmoved.
What followed was two gilt-edged golden opportunities for Chennaiyin to score, that they unfortunately spurned. First, Reagan Singh’s inviting low cross to Fatkhulo resulted in the Tajikistan winger hitting the crossbar from close range. A similar pick-out from the industrious Lallianzuala Chhangte for Rahim Ali was sent wide of the mark with the goal gaping. In between the two chances, Edwin also sent a shot from close range astray after Chhangte’s pass had found his late run into the box.
Chennaiyin’s profligacy in front of goal was punished at the other end, as Hyderabad doubled their lead in the final ten minutes. A counter-attack was finished off by substitute Chianese, who found the back of the net from a difficult angle.
CFC will be hopeful of the involvement of Anirudh Thapa and new signing Manuel Lanzarote in their next game, when they are in action against Bengaluru FC on Friday February 5th at the Fatorda Stadium.
RESULT: Hyderabad FC 2 (Fran Sandaza 28’, Joel Chianese 83’) beat Chennaiyin FC 0
