Chennaiyin FC vs NorthEast United FC

Goodbye

That's all from this game!!! Chennaiyin FC move to the 6th position on the points table and NorthEast United FC remain at the 9th position. On Friday, the 17th of January, Mumbai City FC will be hosting Bengaluru FC. That will be another cracker of a game and it will start at 1930 IST. Until then, cheers.

Awards

Chennaiyin FC collect the Club Award for winning the match this evening. Nerijus Valskis is given the Limitless Player of the Match Award. Lallianzuala Chhangte bags the Winning Pass of the Match Award. Vishal Kaith takes home the Emerging Player of the Match Award and Rafael Crivellaro is the choice for the Hero of the Match Award.

Big win!

Chennaiyin FC win their second game on the trot by 2 goals without a reply. After playing out a tight first half, which ended goalless, the hosts scored two goals in the space of two minutes in the second half. Rafael Crivellaro scored a world class goal from the close to the halfway line in the 57th minute and in the next two minutes, Nerijus Valskis poked in to give a two goal lead. Thereafter, Lallianzuala Chhangte had three chances to add the third but he couldn't capitalise. NorthEast United FC did create a few chances towards the end but the Super Machans were able to grind it out till the end for a clean sheet. This win takes Chennaiyin FC to 6th place, while NorthEast United FC stay in 9th on the ISL table.

Full time!

The referee blows the whistle for full time and it ends Chennaiyin FC 2-0 NorthEast United FC.

Injury time

3 minutes added on.

Wastes a good chance

Laldinliana Renthlei plays a defence-splitting pass from right back to Thoi Singh on the right flank. The wide man is one on one and he storms into the box only to shoot the ball straight to Subhasish Roy.

Substitution

Chennaiyin FC make a change as Rafael Crivellaro, one of the goalscorers makes way for Thoi Singh.

NorthEast United FC dominating it

Ninthoi from the right flank tries to cross the ball, which Jerry Lalrinzuala heads out for a corner. Martin Chaves from the set-piece delivers it to the far post and Vishal Kaith easily catches the ball.

Ninthoi earns a corner

Andrew Keogh gets the ball around the edge of the box and he lays it off towards the sub Ninthoi, who shoots the ball goalwards and forces a fine save from Vishal Kaith. NorthEast United FC get a corner, which Martin Chaves takes. Eli Sabia rises the highest to head the ball clear.

Substitution for NEUFC

Ninthoi replaces Federico Gallego, the skipper tried hard to inspire his team but he couldn't make a mark. NorthEast United FC trail by 2 goals to nil.

Headed over

Lallianzuala Chhangte is played in by Rafael Crivellaro on the left flank. The wide man runs for the byline and cuts the ball back for Anirudh Thapa, who heads the ball over the crossbar.

Substitution

Chennaiyin FC make the first change of the night. Andre Schembri is going off and Dragos Firtulescu comes on to replace him.

Two shots on goal!

Lallianzuala Chhangte has two bites of the cherry but he can't get his name on the scoresheet. Rafael Crivellaro, the scorer of the 1st goal, plays a long crossfield ball towards Lallianzuala Chhangte. The wide man brings the ball under his spell and shoots it goalwards, however, Rakesh Pradhan blocks it. The deflection comes back to Chhangte at the edge of the box, and his goalwards attempt is save by Subhasish Roy this time.

Shoots over!

Chennaiyin FC have been a different animal in the last 10 minutes. Rafael Crivellaro finds Nerijus Valskis at the edge of the box via a deflection. Valskis lays the ball to his right to Lallianzuala Chhangte, who blazes the ball over in an attempt to score a goal.

GOALLLLLLL!

Goal no. 2 for the Chennaiyin FC and the home crowd has gone wild. A stunning goal from Nerijus Valskis. Nerijus Valskis from the middle passes the ball ahead for Andre Schembri who runs with the ball and enters the box. He then shoots the ball towards goal but Subhasish Roy punches it away. Heerings Kai looks to clear the ball but makes a very poor attempt and ends up losing the ball to Nerijus Valskis just outside the box. Valskis makes a little room for himself and then shoots the ball in the back of the net at the far post. The task for NorthEast United FC is a daunting one now.

GGGOOOAAALL!

Rafael Crivellaro scores a wonder goal from distance to take the lead. Crivellaro gets the ball close to the halfway line with his back to goal. He turns and unleashes a goal bound shot. He had spotted Subhasish Roy off his line and the ball floats into the right corner of the goal. When his teammates missed the goal from two yards out but Mr Crivellaro has scored a beauty from almost 60 yards out.

End to end football

Vishal Kaith saves from a speculative effort from Andrew Keogh. Martin Chaves takes the corner, which is cleared for another corner by Anirudh Thapa. The second corner is cleared and all of a sudden, Lallianzuala Chhangte has the ball on the right hand side of the NorthEast United FC box. He shoots it across goal and Subhasish Roy makes a fingertip save.

Corner - NorthEast United FC

Reagan Singh does really well to win the corner. Gallego takes it and whips an outswinger towards the far post. Vishal Kaith comes off his line and punches the ball clear. Federico Gallego gets the ball back on the right side. He shoots it goalwards and Kaith saves the ball to concede a corner. On the second time of asking, Federico Gallego swings another outswinger at the far post. This time, Vishal Kaith catches the ball and the danger is averted.

Play resumes!

NorthEast United FC get us underway. Rupert Nongrum comes in at the break to replace Redeem Tlang.

Scoreless at half time!

The first half surprisingly ends scoreless. Chennaiyin FC started the first 10 minutes with a bang. They had chance after chance, putting NorthEast United FC under severe pressure. Nerijus Valskis missed a sitter in the 5th minute, hitting the crossbar from a tap in. However, the visitors grew into the game to fashion chances of their own. Then on the 32nd minute, the Highlanders saw Mislav Komorski's header cleared off the line by Lucian Goian. With both teams cancelling each other out in the middle of the park, the first half ended scoreless. Who will make the breakthrough in the second 45? Find out in a while.

Half time

There goes the half time whistle and it is Chennaiyin FC 0-0 NorthEast United FC.

Added time

Just one minute added on.

On target!

Lallianzuala Chhangte plays an inch-perfect cross from the right flank. It is actually meant for Nerijus Valskis but Rafael Crivellaro runs in from midfield to head the ball on target. Subhasish Roy makes save.

Foul!

Laldinliana Renthlei clatters Federico Gallego near the right touchline. NorthEast United FC get a free kick at the halfway mark.

Close shave!

Anirudh Thapa takes the corner, he whips it into the box. Subhasish Roy came off his line, jumped and missed the ball. Behind him, Andre Schembri gets a free header which he puts wide of the near post.

NEUFC come again

Andrew Keogh in the Chennaiyin FC box, gets the ball, he plays it to the right side and Mislav Komorski at the far post, heads the ball. It falls into the feet of Lucian Goian, who is able to clear the ball.

Fine play

Redeem Tlang brilliantly works space to make a square pass to Milan Singh. The midfielder from an acute angle shoots. Vishal Kaith is able to make a save. Andre Schembri running back into his box, clears the ball.

Good play all-round

Anirudh Thapa does well to make space for himself on the right side to play the ball to Andre Schembri. The forward runs towards the byline and crosses the ball. Subhasish Roy is aware and he comes off his line to catch itl.

Midfield tussle

Both side are cancelling each other out in the middle of the park. Who will score the first goal if this continues?

Free kick - Chennaiyin FC

Redeem Tlang floors Rafael Crivellaro on the left flank. Crivellaro takes the free kick and delivers the ball into the box but it is headed out by Reagan Singh.

Free kick - NorthEast United FC

Martin Chaves receives the ball in midfield and the forward looks to scamper into the box with the ball. However Anirudh Thapa clatters him down to the ground. Chaves takes the free kick and Lucian Goian heads it clear.

Off target

Edwin Vanspaul passes it from the outside the box to Anirudh Thapa who is inside the 18-yard area. He controls the ball and tucks it to his left towards Andre Schembri who looks to put the ball in the back of the net but ends up hitting it wide.

Good save!

Reagan Singh heads a clearance straight to Edwin Vanspaul, Chennaiyin FC's midfielder sets himself up and shoots from range. It's headed goalwards but Subhasish Roy promptly saves the swerving effort out for a corner. Nothing materialises from the corner.

How has that stayed out?

Edwin Vanspaul gets the ball in midfield and plays it to Rafael Crivellaro, who threads the ball to Lallianzuala Chhangte. The wide man squares the ball to Nerijus Valskis, who hits the crossbar, from 6-yards out. That could be a big miss.

Saves it!

Rafael Crivellaro unleashes Lallianzuala Chhangte on the left flank with a through ball. The wide man runs into the box and from a distance, he shoots the ball. Subhasish Roy, is on hand to make a fine save at his near post.

Kick off!

The hosts get us underway. Chennaiyin FC attack but the ball is cleared at the edge of the visitors' box. The loose ball falls to Anirudh Thapa, who plays it wide for Lallianzuala Chhangte. The ball wins the race and goes past the left touchline. NorthEast United FC get a throw-in.

Toss

NorthEast United FC win the toss. Federico Gallego chooses to kick from right to left. Chennaiyin FC will kick off the first half.

National Anthem!!!

Both sides make their way out of the tunnel to stand in respect of the Indian National Anthem.

Debut

NorthEast United FC hand Andrew Keogh, their new signing a start. The Irishman will be eager to help the Highlanders fill the void that Asamoah Gyan's absence has created.

NorthEast United FC Playing XI

Subhasish Roy (GK), Reagan Singh, Heerings Kai, Mislav Komorski, Rakesh Pradhan, Milan Singh, Federico Gallego (C), Redeem Tlang, Lalengmawia, Andrew Keogh, Martin Chaves.

Chennaiyin FC Playing XI

Vishal Kaith (GK), Lucian Goian (C), Eli Sabia, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Laldinliana Renthlei, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Edwin Vanspaul, Anirudh Thapa, Rafael Crivellaro, Nerijus Valskis, Andre Schembri.

Vital duel!!!

It is time for the match 60 in this season's Indian Super League and it is Chennaiyin FC, who are hosting NorthEast United FC in a very important clash. The hosts are in 8th place on the points table and are just one point above 9th placed NorthEast United FC. The hosts are coming to this game on the back of a 3-1 win against Hyderabad FC, while NorthEast United FC are winless in their last 6 games. The hosts are looking solid right now with the likes of Nerijus Valskis, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Rafael Crivellaro up front and firing. However, Owen Coyle would want the defensive unit that has the likes of Lucian Goian and Eli Sabia to do better in this game and bag 3 points, keeping themselves in contention of the top 4 spots. As far as the Highlanders are concerned, their goalscoring record is the worst this season. They have managed to put the ball in the back of the net only 9 times. Having played just 10 games so far this season, the Super Machans have games in hand to improve on their position. While Asamoah Gyan did well, he lacked support from others around him. However in this game, there are chances that Gyan might sit out due to a big injury. It will be the perfect chance for the likes of Martin Chaves, Rupert Nongrum, and Redeem Tlang to step up and help the side win this important clash in the absence of their star striker. One thing that can inspire NorthEast United FC is their brilliant head-to-head record against Chennaiyin FC. The Highlanders have defeated the Marina Machans 6 times in their 8 clashes in the history of the Indian Super League. Will they be able to keep that record or will the hosts trump them at home this time?