PANAJI
Chennaiyin FC showed remarkable transformation under new coach Sabir Pasha but had to settle for an exciting 2-2 draw against Odisha in match 93 of the Indian Super League (ISL) match at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Wednesday.
The draw has effectively wiped out the chances of both teams for a place in the playoffs. Chennaiyin started with a flourish, scoring in the second minute, only to concede the lead but finished strongly to snatch a draw. However, Chennaiyin’s frailties in defence were exposed by the Spanish duo of Jonathas Cristian and Javi Hernandez in the match.
The Chennai side showed a lot of intent in the opening minutes by pushing more men in attack and got off to a dream start when it took the lead in the second minute. A free-kick by Nerijus Valskis ricocheted off the Odisha wall and in the melee; Narayan Das managed to sneak in a pass to an unmarked Rahim Ali who found the net with a right-footed shot from near the six-yard box.
Chennaiyin played fluently in the first 15 minutes before Odisha clawed back into the match through a screamer from Javi Hernandez in the 18th minute.
Chennaiyin fought back and Nerijus Valskis, without a goal in 11 matches, headed in the equaliser off a cross from Rahim Ali.
