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Defending Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC look at an early ISL-3 exit as they were held by NorthEast United FC to an injury time 3-3 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday night.
The home side were in attack from the start but first a Davide Succi attempt went wide and then keeper Subrata Pal made a spectacular save off a John Arne Riise free kick. NorthEast United thereafter settled into the game, but Chennaiyin FC struck against the run of play in the 34th minute when MacPherlin Dudu Omegbemi headed in a Mehrajuddin Wadoo cross.
But the lead lasted only four minutes as Nicolas Velez equalised with a placed long ranger for NorthEast United. Chennaiyin FC were ahead in the first half injury time as Dudu scored his second of the night off a Jerry Lalrinzuala cross as the hosts took a 2-1 lead into the break.
NorthEast United had the better start into the second session as Nico Velez equalised for the second time in the 51st minute as keeper Karanjit Singh could not keep the ball out.
NorthEast United suffered a big injury blow in the 77th minute as keeper Subrata Pal had to replaced with T.P. Rehenesh, who only four minutes later was beaten by Dudu for Chennaiyin FC to take a 3-2 lead.
There was a lot of action and drama towards the end of the match as tempers flared, Chennaiyin FC tried to defend their one goal lead, but Shouvik Ghosh headed in a Nico Velez corner in the fifth minute of injury time for the match to end in a 3-3 draw.
The result means that NorthEast United with two matches to play have a chance to qualify for the semifinals, while the defending champions Chennaiyin FC are close to elimination.
Match Awards
Club award: Chennaiyin FC/NorthEast United FC
Amul Fittest Player of the Match: Raphael Augusto (Chennaiyin FC)
DHL Winning Pass of the Match: Bernard Mendy (Chennaiyin FC)
Maruti Suzuki Swift Moment of the Match: Nicolas Velez (NorthEast United FC)
ISL Emerging Player of the Match: Siam Hanghal (Chennaiyin FC)
Hero of the Match: MacPherlin Dudu Omegbemi (Chennaiyin FC)
