A Prosenjit Chakraborty spot-kick handed Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ a 1-0 win over Mohammedan Sporting in the Second Division League in Chennai today. This was their second consecutive 1-0 win, having beaten Langsning FC by the same margin three days back.
Looking to avenge a 0-4 defeat to their opponents in the reverse fixture, Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ made three changes as Aman Chetri, Hendry Antonay and captain Prosenjit Chakraborty started in place of Joseph Lalsanglura, Reamsochung ‘Remy’ Aimol and Joysana Singh who dropped to the bench. And it was a homecoming of sorts for Mohammedan Sporting striker Fikru Teferra, an ISL winner with Chennaiyin FC in 2015.
The visitors dominated possession in the opening stages but Chennaiyin FC maintained their defensive shape, pressing the visitors every chance they got. Mohammedan Sporting had a couple of chances to go in front when Dalraj Singh sent a free header wide and Fikru fired just off-target in quick succession.
The Ethiopian striker then played a one-two with Cho Tshering Lepcha in the 25th minute before lobbing a cross-cum-shot across goal that missed everybody. From the resulting break, Chennaiyin FC striker Aman Chetri tore down the left flank with his cross causing the visitors’ defence discomfort.
Chennaiyin FC remained a threat on the break and they took the lead through one such move, thanks to Prosenjit’s brilliance. The Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ skipper picked the ball up in his own half and bombed down the right flank, getting past four opponents before squaring the ball to B. Rohmingthanga who was fouled in the area. Prosenjit stepped up and sent the Mohammedan Sporting keeper Subham Roy the wrong way to put his side in front.
The Kolkata side tried to fight back immediately but their attempts were wayward. Chennaiyin FC could’ve doubled their lead on the counter when Rohmingthanga’s cross was headed down by Aman for Bedashwor Singh, whose goalbound effort was blocked by a defender.
Mohammedan Sporting continued to pile the pressure on Chennaiyin in search of the equalizer, but the latter’s defence held strong. Rohmingthanga was a constant menace for Chennaiyin FC ‘B’ going forward, finding pockets of space behind the opposition defence to run into.
The Kolkata side’s first shot on target in the second-half was a scissor kick on the hour mark from Syrian midfielder Wael Ayan that went straight to Chennaiyin FC keeper Sayak Barai, who did well to hold on. Ayan went close again a minute later when his low drive from outside the box went just wide.
Syed Suhail Pasha and Lalliansanga Renthlei replaced Rohmingthanga and Aman in the last quarter of the match with Chennaiyin FC’s backs to the wall. Their introduction injected freshness for Chennaiyin FC upfront as gaps continued to open up with Mohammedan Sporting on the offensive.
It was end-to-end in the closing stages as Prosenjit and Bedashwor had a couple of chances to score while Fikru and Dipendu Dowary wasted half-chances for the visitors. With five minutes left on the clock, Zonunmawia put Suhail through on goal, who deliberated on the ball for far too long before losing his footing at the last moment.
Chennaiyin FC defended remarkably well with seven stoppage time minutes added on, as Mohammedan Sporting threw men forward. Chennaiyin FC ‘B’, with an average age of 18, held on for another spirited victory over an experienced senior outfit. Their next encounter will be against Bengaluru FC ‘B’ at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Saturday, May 5.