THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Chennaiyin FC B suffer narrow defeat against Kerala Blasters Reserves

The Chennaiyin FC B team. (Photo courtesy: Chennaiyin FC)
The Chennaiyin FC B team. Photo courtesy: Chennaiyin FC

The Chennaiyin FC B team suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to the Kerala Blasters FC Reserves in the Hero 2nd Division League at the SSN College Ground in Chennai today. A first-half strike from Pragyan Gogoi for the visiting KBFC Reserves proved enough despite CFC’s best attempts to find the equalizer.

After three draws and four defeats so far, CFC B will aim to finish with a win when they face Fateh Hyderabad AFC in their final Group B fixture in the Hero 2nd Division League on Tuesday 26th March 2019 at the SSN College Ground.

CFC B made five changes to the side that had lost 3-0 to Ozone FC in their previous game. Goalkeeper Samik Mitra replaced B.Y. Revanth as Harsh Bartwal came in for Joseph Lalsanglura in defence. Hendry Antonay also started as Joysana Singh made way. In midfield, Vijay Thangavel started in place of Zonunmawia as Syed Suhail Pasha replaced Bawlte Rohmingthanga upfront.

CFC began brightly and had a good chance in the opening ten minutes. Striker Krishna Pandit received the ball at the edge of the KBFC box, but did not make the most of the promising position he found himself in.

KBFC went on to dominate proceedings in the first half thereafter as Prabin Tigga and Hendry Antonay impressed for CFC in defence. But there was nothing they could do on 39 minutes, when a long-range attempt from Pragyan Gogoi caught out Samik Mitra in goal and went into the top corner.

The KBFC reserves had a couple of decent opportunities in the opening stages of the second half to double their lead. The play was more end-to-end at this point, as CFC tried to draw level on the break.

From one such chance, CFC were in a 2v2 position on the counter. But Krishna’s final pass in the KBFC box was found lacking and the chance was gone.

Bawlte Rohmingthanga, who had come on for Harsh, had a glorious chance to draw level soon after. With just the keeper to beat, he opted to pass to fellow second-half substitute Lalliansanga Renthlei, but the pass was unfortunately astray.

Aman Chetri then had a chance but his shot went just above the post as the elusive equalizer continued to elude CFC. In the closing stages, Rohmingthanga’s free-kick for CFC from 20 yards out went straight to the KBFC goalkeeper as the visitors held on for a narrow 1-0 win.

(Chennaiyin FC)