The Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ team recorded its first win of the Second Division League season by beating Langsning FC 1-0 at the SSN College Ground in Chennai today. Bedashwor Singh’s superb finish in the second-half helped snap a six-game losing streak for a Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ team whose average age is a mere 18 years.
The boys in blue made a couple of changes to the starting eleven with Prosenjit Chakraborty and Hendry Antonay making way for Bedashwor Singh and Joseph Lalsanglura respectively.
The team from Shillong made a bright start with two decent chances in the opening ten minutes but Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ goalkeeper Sayak Barai was equal to it. Langsning FC continued to pile on the pressure but Mohammed Sarif Khan and Saurabh Meher stood strong in the hosts’ defence.
Chennaiyin FC missed a glorious chance to go in front at the half-hour mark when an unmarked B. Rohmingthanga sent his shot over the bar from a corner kick. It finished goalless at the break with both sides sharing the spoils.
Langsning FC edged the opening stages of the second period but Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ managed to thwart their attempts with efficiency. At the other end, Chennaiyin FC skipper Bedashwor was a constant menace, keeping the visiting defence on its toes.
And it was Bedashwor who made the difference a few minutes later, when he met substitute Hendry Antonay’s cross from the right with a brilliant first-time volley, leaving the Langsning FC keeper with no chance. Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ were 1-0 up with 71 minutes on the clock.
The visitors tried to hit back immediately after going behind but Sayak made a very good save to preserve Chennaiyin FC’s clean sheet. The visitors were vulnerable on the break as they chased the game, leading to the hosts dominating in the closing stages. Bedashwor and Rohmingthanga had a couple of great opportunities to put the game to bed but to no avail.
Chennaiyin FC however held on to record a 1-0 win over Langsning FC, their first win in their debut Second Division League campaign. It has been a steep learning curve for the Chennaiyin FC starlets but a win against a senior team from Shillong will surely build their confidence.
Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ face another tough opposition in the form of Mohammedan Sporting on April 25 at 4pm in their last home game of the campaign.