Chennaiyin FC’s Under-18 team defeated FC Madras 9-0 in an AIFF U-18 Youth League match at the SSN College Ground today. Forward Aman Chetri scored a hat-trick in the romp, with the CFC U-18s now having scored 15 goals in their last two games.

Midfielder Harsh Bartwal came in for the suspended Hendry Antonay, who was out following successive bookings in the last two games. Harsh scored two goals while Vijay Thangavel, Joysana Singh, Ajin Tom and 15-year-old Tamil Nadu forward Jaya Ruban pitched in with a goal apiece.

After a relatively slow start, Chennaiyin’s first big chance came in the 10th minute. Winger Joysana Singh broke free of his marker and sent a low cross into the box, which both CFC forwards Aman Chetri and Vijay Thangavel failed to put away with the goal gaping.

CFC’s breakthrough came in the 25th minute courtesy some good running from Aman. The forward latched on to a long pass from skipper Saurabh Meher and went past two opponents before rolling it in the path of strike-partner Vijay, who tapped it in to make 1-0.

CFC’s second came five minutes before the break and it was all down to Saurabh’s foray into the opponent’s half. The CFC captain played a delightful one-two with Vijay that put him through on goal. Rather than shooting, Saurabh unselfishly squared the ball to Harsh who walked the ball into an empty net and made it 2-0.

CFC continued their domination and created a number of opportunities immediately after, but went into half time two goals to the good.

It was soon 3-0 to CFC after the break with Aman scoring his first in the 53rd minute. A precision lobbed through ball from Ajin fell right into Aman’s path, who took a touch and fired it past the FC Madras keeper.

3-0 became 5-0 in no time as Chennaiyin opened up the FC Madras defence with ease. Joysana set up Aman for his second after a through ball from midfield, the latter having to pass it into an empty net. A minute later, Joysana scored CFC’s fifth, slotting it coolly past the onrushing goalkeeper after being put through.

15-year-old Tamil Nadu forward Jaya Ruban then came on for Vijay and scored CFC’s sixth with his first touch. A pinpoint cross from the right was finished astutely by the tall forward from Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu.

There was more to come from CFC in the form of goals, their seventh coming from a corner. FC Madras’ marking was inexistent as the ball found its way to Ajin at the back post, who finished with aplomb. Harsh scored his second and CFC’s eighth soon after following a fantastic interchange with Joysana, whose inch-perfect pass he fired past the keeper.

Aman was full of running in the closing stages, completing his hat-trick with a well-drilled low effort, making it 9-0 in the process. The boy from Guwahati now has 6 goals in 3 appearances for the CFC U-18s this season.

The CFC U-18s will aim to continue their fine form when they take on Raman Vijayan Soccer School in an away game on Monday 12th November 2018.

(Chennaiyin FC)