In a captivating encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennaiyin FC reignited their playoff hopes with a stunning 2-1 win against Indian Super League (ISL) table-toppers Odisha FC.
The match, filled with suspense and late drama, saw the local side snatch victory from the jaws of a draw, thanks to a last-gasp goal by substitute Jordan Murray in stoppage time, sending the home supporters into a frenzy of joy.
Despite the win only nudging Chennaiyin FC up to 10th in the league standings, their performance on the night was a stark contradiction to their position, challenging the league leaders with a display of determination and skill.
Odisha FC, with their focus partly on the upcoming AFC Cup fixture, missed the opportunity to pull away from their closest rivals, Mohun Bagan Super Giant, with whom they remain level but have now played an extra game.
The tactical battle in midfield was crucial for Chennaiyin’s chances against a formidable Odisha side. They effectively neutralized Odisha’s key playmaker, Ahmed Jahouh, known for his ability to control the game from his deep-lying midfield position. Through aggressive pressing and timely interceptions, Chennaiyin’s midfield duo, Connor Shields and Ayush Adhikari, disrupted Odisha’s rhythm, setting the stage for an intense showdown.
Chennaiyin’s proactive approach bore fruit early on, with Rafael Crivellaro testing Odisha goalkeeper Amrinder Singh from distance. Ankit Mukherjee then capitalized on a Crivellaro corner to give Chennaiyin the lead, outjumping Odisha’s defense to score. However, the quality of Jahouh gradually emerged, with the midfielder’s precise passing helping Odisha grow into the game, though they were kept at bay by Chennaiyin’s goalkeeper Debjit Majumder’s crucial saves.
A strategic move by Odisha’s head coach Sergio Lobera saw Jahouh replaced at halftime, which inadvertently allowed Chennaiyin more control in the second half. Nevertheless, Odisha managed to equalize through Roy Krishna following a corner by substitute Cy Goddard. In a surprising turn, Lobera then substituted Krishna for a defender, aiming to secure a draw.
The closing moments were filled with high tension as Chennaiyin pushed for a winner. Their perseverance was rewarded when Murray, coming off the bench, headed in the decisive goal from a Shields’ corner, sealing a dramatic and vital win for Chennaiyin FC.
This victory not only provides a significant boost to Chennaiyin FC’s playoff aspirations but also adds an exciting twist to the ISL title race. As the league progresses, Chennaiyin FC will look to build on this momentum, while Odisha FC will aim to regroup and maintain their position at the top of the table.
