A neat tap-in by Nigeria’s Daniel Chukwu late in the second half ensured a 2-1 win for Chennaiyin FC against Punjab FC 2-1 in an ISL 2024-25 match at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Saturday.
After the win, Chennaiyin is 10th with 24 points in 21 matches, while Punjab remains a place above with 24 points in 20 outings.
It was just the second win in 10 matches at home for Owen Coyle’s men.
In a contest which saw both teams fighting tooth and nail, the first half largely belonged to Chennaiyin. The second 45 saw the visitor create better chances, especially in added time.
The host scored the opening goal in the first half through a penalty after Punjab’s Melroy Assisi handled the ball inside the penalty area following a throw-in by Vignesh Dakshinamurthy.
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Wilmar Jordan stepped up to take the spot-kick and made no mistake in burying the ball in the back of the net.
Punjab levelled the scores early in the second session, thanks to a deft left-footed touch by Luka Majcen after getting at the end of a superb pass from Pulga Vidal.
Chukwu, who came as a substitute with hardly 15 minutes before the final whistle, turned out to be the hero for Chennaiyin with a fine touch with his left foot in the 86th minute to score the winner.
The visitor didn’t throw in the towel as it created many chances from the right wing with some teasing crosses by Muhammad Suhail, but none of the forwards could finish it. Majcen could have levelled scores in second-half added time, but his shot was saved by Chennaiyin goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz, who came good again after jumping high to put away a searing long-range shot by Pulga Vidal.
Content Source: sportstar.thehindu.com