NEUFC blanks Chennaiyin

Nestor Albiach scored the second goal for North East United FC against Chennaiyin FC in an ISL match in Chennai on Monday.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Requiring a victory to qualify for the play-offs, NorthEast United FC did it in grand fashion, scripting a 3-0, all goals came in the first half, win over Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League match at the Nehru stadium here on Monday.

There was no doubt from the beginning that NEUFC would come hard at the host, for a win here would seal its place in the top-six (35 points), with one match remaining.

And the visitor troubled Chennaiyin no end. Especially with winger Thoi toiling hard from both flanks, there were chances aplenty. Striker Jithin was at the centre of many opportunities.

NEUFC’s opening goal came from Nestor and it was peach of a goal. His stinging left-footer from just outside the gave little chance to keeper Md. Nawaz who dived to his left, in vain.

Playing for pride, Chennaiyin attacked in fits and starts, and it did have its chances, and quite a few of them being gilt-edged ones early in the first half, but it failed to finish in the final third.

Connor Shields’s weak left-footer went straight to the custodian. Immediately, Wilmar Jordan’s curling shot from close range, was pushed away ‘keeper Gurmeet. The NEUFC attacks became more frequent and Jithin struck after a good 1-2 with Ajaraie and the third goal by Ajaraie, thanks to a brilliant assist by Jithin, put things beyond Chennaiyin.

Playing with 10 men, after Ryan Edwards received his second yellow for bringing down Ajaraie in the 82nd minute, Chennaiyin did well to keep NEUFC in check. However, it appeared that Chennaiyin today didn’t have the stomach for a fight.

The result: Chennaiyin FC 0 lost to NorthEast United FC 3 (Nestor 7, Jithin 26, Ajaraie 38).