Chennaiyin FC B suffered a 2-1 defeat to Fateh Hyderabad AFC in a 2nd Division League match at the FSV Arena in Bengaluru today. This was CFC B’s first match in a month, as the 2nd Division League resumed after a break. Syed Suhail Pasha, who played in both of Tamil Nadu’s matches in the Santosh Trophy South Zone qualifiers recently, scored CFC’s goal today after coming off the bench.

There were four changes to the CFC B starting eleven, from the team that played a month back against Ozone FC. The returning Samik Mitra replaced B.Y. Revanth in goal as Reamsochung Aimol (Remy) started with Kyntiewshaphrang Kharlukhi making way. Zonunmawia and Surya Tirkey also came into the side as Joseph Lalsanglura and Mohammed Sarif Khan dropped to the bench.

CFC began the game brightly and enjoyed more of the ball in the opening stages. However, Fateh Hyderabad created the more threatening chances, also hitting the crossbar from a chance on the break.

Fateh took the lead through a header by Naro Shrestha from a corner kick in the 34th minute. CFC however tried to bounce back almost immediately, creating a couple of good chances to draw level.

Both the best chances in the first half fell to CFC forward Bawlte Rohmingthanga. He was put through on goal by Remy for the first chance, but the Fateh keeper managed to make the save. On the second instance, Joysana Singh was the provider, but this time a last-ditch tackle from a retreating defender stopped Rohmingthanga from taking a shot on goal.

Aman Chetri was next to miss out on a chance to equalize. The Guwahati boy failed to connect with an inviting Joysana cross as CFC went into the break a goal behind.

After the break, it was more end-to-end as CFC continued to search for the leveller. Fateh had a chance to go two up, but CFC center back Prabin Tigga did well to clear the effort off the line.

The equalizer eventually did come for CFC with a quarter of the game to go. Substitute Syed Suhail Pasha, who had come on for Krishna Pandit, did well to rise above everyone and head it in from a Remy set-piece.

But it was déjà vu for CFC in the closing stages, as they conceded again from a corner kick. A flick-on at the near post led to a tap in for Haileuyibe Iranggau as Fateh held on to win 2-1.

CFC B take on South United FC next, in search of their first 2nd Division League win of the season at the FSV Arena in Bengaluru on Tuesday 26th February 2019.

(Chennaiyin FC)