Friday , March 29 2024

Chennaiyin FC and Minerva Punjab FC share the spoils in AFC Cup group stage opener!

Chennaiyin FC drew 0-0 with Minerva Punjab FC in an all-Indian 2019 AFC Cup group stage opener at The Arena Stadium in Ahmedabad today. This was both club’s maiden appearance in the group stages of the continental competition. It was also Chennaiyin FC’s fourth successive clean sheet in all competitions, in what was an intense encounter.

Head Coach John Gregory made three changes to the Chennaiyin FC starting eleven that beat Mumbai City FC 2-0 in the Super Cup encounter last week. Anirudh Thapa, Isaac Vanmalsawma and Gregory Nelson made way as Thoi Singh, Halicharan Narzary and Raphael Augusto started. Dhanpal Ganesh and Jerry Lalrinzuala began a second successive game from the bench, on their return from injury. For Minerva Punjab FC, all three of their new signings – forward Samuel Lalmuanpuia and defenders Kareem Nurain and Robert Primus started from the outset.

After a slow opening few minutes, Chennaiyin FC grew into the match with a succession of quick chances. The first fell to Jeje Lalpekhlua in the Minerva Punjab FC box, but the striker’s shot deflected out for a corner. The resulting set-piece saw Chennaiyin FC’s Brazilian center-back Eli Sabia head it wayward.

A minute later, CK Vineeth outmuscled Minerva Punjab FC skipper Mahmoud Al-Amna in the middle of the park and freed Thoi Singh on the right flank. The Manipuri winger found Jeje in the box, who laid it up for Raphael Augusto, whose shot went above the crossbar.

Minerva Punjab FC then tested Chennaiyin FC keeper Karanjit Singh from distance in the 25th minute. Ghanaian midfielder Kalif Alhassan’s shot was parried away by the custodian. Few minutes later, Samuel stung Karanjit’s gloves with another shot from distance after the ball fell to him from a Chennaiyin FC clearance. From the corner, Alhassan’s header hit the upright and went out for a goal-kick.

It became a tighter affair as the half progressed. Both sides continued to create inroads but the play in the final third lacked precision as it remained goalless at the break.

Minerva Punjab FC made a change soon after the restart, with Moinuddin replacing Prabhjot Singh. And Chennaiyin FC brought on Anirudh Thapa for Halicharan. Thapa coming up against his former side, having played for Minerva in the 2016-17 I-League season on loan from Chennaiyin FC.

The first big chance of the second period fell Chennaiyin FC’s way on the hour mark when Thoi’s header from a Tondonba cross went agonizingly wide of the far post.

Minerva Punjab FC then made their second change with a quarter of the game to go, when Makan Chothe was replaced by Akash Sangwan into the final quarter of the game. Chennaiyin FC had a sustained spell of pressure in the ensuing minutes over their opponents. Vineeth had couple of shots from distance but to no avail. Soon after, Thapa led a break for Chennaiyin FC and spread the ball wide to Thoi, who charged into the box and fired in a low cross that was headed away well by Kareem.

Chennaiyin FC made their second change of the evening when midfielder Dhanpal Ganesh came on for Thoi. The local Chennai man continuing making his second appearance of the season on his comeback from injury. Minerva made their final change soon after when Thoiba Singh replaced Samuel.

Thapa put in an energetic cameo performance, leading the charge for Chennaiyin FC in the final third. Chennaiyin FC continued to knock on the Minerva Punjab FC door in the closing minutes with Thapa central to their cause, but the visitors held on as their maiden AFC Cup group stage ended in a goalless stalemate. In the group’s other game earlier in the day, Bangladesh’s Abahani Limited Dhaka beat Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi 1-0 away from home.

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