Chennai: Mohammedan SC created history at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Thursday, registering its first win in the ISL, thanks to a 1-0 win against hosts Chennaiyin FC.
The only goal of the match came in the 39th minute of the match from a defensive mishap in the Chennaiyin FC half leaving Lalremsanga with an open net to finish into.
Despite Chennaiyin creating a lot of chances in the closing minutes, and Mohammedan missing a penalty, Chennaiyin couldn’t find the equalizer thanks to some brave defending from the travelling side.
After Hyderabad FC and Punjab FC, who won their first ISL games against Chennaiyin FC, Mohammedan SC too joined this list as registering their first ISL win against the marina machans.
#5 History made at the Nehru Stadium in Chennai
The rise of Mohammedan SC has been one of inspiration and grit. After missing out on their first victories in the previous two games thanks to stoppage-time goals, the visiting team ensured no such mishap happened tonight, as they held on to a narrow 1-0 win.
This is their first-ever win in the ISL and they had to earn it the hard way, having to put up with a barrage of attack from Chennaiyin initially and towards the end.
The best moment for them would be the goal-saving clearance from Gaurav Bora and Zuidika off Brambilla’s shot.
“The first two matches, we showed that we can play good football, and now we’ve shown that we can win games in the ISL,” said an elated Andrey Chernyshov, head coach of Mohammedan SC, during the post match press conference.
#4 Individual mistakes cost the hosts
The game was largely dominated by the home team with chances being created in plenty, especially at the start.
But Chennai’s sloppiness in the final third meant that Mohammedan were always in the game.
With the game tied at 0-0, a huge defensive mistake due to a lack of communication between Dinpuia and keeper Samik Mitra meant that Lalremsanga had an open net to tap the ball into, giving the away side an unlikely lead.
Despite Chennaiyin having the lion’s share of possession and creating decent opportunities, the hosts were not clinical when it mattered the most and despite those chances, the Mohammedan keeper was barely tested.
The closest Chennaiyin came to an equalizer was in stoppage time of the second half when Bramilla had an open net and his shot was miraculously cleared off the line by defenders Gaurav Bora and Zuidika.
#3 Super machans show up in huge numbers
If there is one thing that cannot be faulted, it is the crowd that turned up to support Owen Coyle’s men.
The fan group of the club, called ‘Super machans’ organized a grand reception of the team bus as it entered the stadium, cheering for the team.
They then made their way into the stadium and the atmosphere was kept lively throughout the game, especially towards the end when Chennaiyin pushed for the equalizer, the noise was deafening.
Chants of “Owen Coyle’s new army” kept ringing around the stadium and even after the defeat, the fans applauded the players and coach who thanked them for their support.
“The fans were amazing. I told the boys that the fans deserved better. We have an unbelievable set of supporters. I can’t thank them enough,” said head coach Owen Coyle in the post match press conference.
Watch the vociferous reception of the fans here:
#2 What did the coaches say?
Head coach of Chennaiyin FC Owen Coyle was not happy about the way his team conceded, calling it a ‘christmas present’ to Mohammedan SC, after starting the game on the front foot.
“We had some wonderful chances to get in front in the first 30 minutes. And then we gifted them a goal, it was like a Christmas present gifted to them by us,” he said.
“Despite that, we still had 22 chances. We should have hit more shots on target. There was probably a penalty for us towards the end. But it is what it is. It is a learning curve for us. We are still a young group. We will take the punch in the nose. The fans have been magnificent tonight,” he added.
Andrey Chernyshov was extremely delighted with the win and praised his team for the courage and bravery they showed tonight.
“It was a tough game for us. Chennaiyin are one of the best teams in the ISL. We spoke about them and how we need to be ready for them. First 30 minutes, they showed how strong they are. But after that we came into the game and we scored the goal,” he said.
“It is an historic win for us. We are very happy about this win,” he added.
#1 What next for both teams?
Chennaiyin FC will be away to Hyderabad FC on the 1st of October, and will look to bounce back after their home defeat.
Mohammedan will have a bit of a break, and will face Mohun Bagan in Kolkata on the 5th of October.
Up next in the ISL tomorrow is East Bengal hosting FC Goa at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata.
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