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Rahim Ali netted a brilliant goal to hand Chennaiyin a dominating 2-0 victory over East Bengal FC in a Indian Super League 2022-23 match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
After a goalless first-half, Chennaiyin FC opened the scoring in the 48th minute, thanks to an own goal from opposition defender Lalchungnunga.
The team further extended the lead, when 22-year-old Ali smashed a spectacular second goal in the 87th minute.
This win, is not only Chennaiyin FC’s second of the season over East Bengal but they also kept their unbeaten record intact against Red and Gold Brigade in the ISL.
“We had the right approach today. We played fast and kept everything under control and created a lot of opportunities.
“We were a bit under pressure in today’s match. East Bengal has shown good development in the past. To face them here and win is fully satisfactory,” Chennaiyin head coach Thomas Brdaric told the media after the victory.
Chennaiyin FC had the majority of the possession and created several goal scoring. Their biggest opportunity came in the third minute when Fallou Diagne fired Aakash Sangwan’s corner onto the crossbar with a first-time volley.
East Bengal tried their best to keep up with the opponents and might have fancied their chance in the 36th minute when Jake Jervis found himself in a good position before hitting a left-footed close-range shot wide.
Chennaiyin FC were finally rewarded for their aggressive intent as soon as the game resumed when Lalchungnunga scored an own goal while defending skipper Anirudh Thapa’s cross from the left wing towards Kwame Karikari.
And when East Bengal were looking for an equaliser, Ali took the game out of their reach by netting Chennaiyin FC’s second goal with a skilful finish. Edwin Vanspaul got to a loose ball in midfield and dribbled past three opponents. As he sent in a delightful through pass to Ali, who evaded the goalkeeper Kamaljit Singh’s tackle before calmly finding the back of the net.
Chennaiyin FC will now travel to FC Goa to play their penultimate league game of the season on Thursday while East Bengal FC are scheduled to face Mumbai City FC on February 19.
