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

Chennaiyin FC U-15s and FC Madras U-15s play out intense goalless draw

The Chennaiyin FC U-15 team. (Photo courtesy: Chennaiyin FC)
The Chennaiyin FC U-15 team. Photo courtesy: Chennaiyin FC

The Chennaiyin FC Under-15 team shared the spoils with the FC Madras U-15s in a goalless draw in the 2018-19 Hero Junior League Chennai Zone at the SSN College Ground in Chennai today. With this result, the CFC U-15s have a win, draw and defeat each to their name from their three games so far this season.

The CFC U-15s will face the Chennai City FC U-15s in their next outing on Friday 19th April 2019 in another home game at the SSN College Ground.

Chennaiyin made two changes to the side that beat Raman Vijayan Soccer School 4-0 three days back to register their first win of the season. Hat-trick hero Mohammed Liyaakath and defender P. Kuganeshwaran made way for striker K. Suriya and center-back Caron Kennedy. Liyaakath not featuring as has been called up to the U-16 national team camp that is currently underway in Goa. He is the only player from Tamil Nadu to be selected for the camp.

FC Madras began brightly, keeping hold of the ball in midfield. They controlled proceedings but didn’t create any clear-cut chances as the first quarter of the game passed by.

Soon after, CFC came into their own with a flowing team move. Striker S. Yugan was found in the box at the end of it, but his shot was saved astutely by FC Madras keeper Vaibhav Ramkumar.

The visiting keeper was called to action again by CFC, when Suriya sprang forward and went one-on-one with the former. But the custodian stood strong to thwart the CFC attacker.

The FC Madras keeper continued to be in some inspired form when he saved an effort from an indirect free-kick in the box. CFC managed to get the shot on target, but the keeper was again behind it to stop the danger.

Chennaiyin made some changes in the second period as it continued to be an intense encounter.

Chances kept falling CFC’s way, but they were unable to make the most of it in the final third.

And despite FC Madras’ best efforts to hit back on the counter, the CFC defence stood firm as it ended goalless.

(Chennaiyin FC)