NorthEast United FC vs Chennaiyin FC

Goodbye!

So that is it from this game and the league stages of ISL 2019/20. We now move to the semi-finals and this season's semi-finalists are FC Goa, ATK FC, Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC. 2-time champions Chennaiyin FC welcome 2-time finalists FC Goa for the first leg of Semi-Final 1. That will be played on Saturday, 29th February at 1930 IST. Do join us for all the action. Till then, take care and have a great time!

Awards

The Club Award is shared by both sides. Masih Saighani is given the Limitless Player of the Match Award. Nim Dorjee gets the Winning Pass of the Match Award. Redeem Tlang takes the ISL Emerging Player of the Match Award while Martin Chaves collects the Hero of the Match Award.

10-man Chennaiyin FC deny NorthEast United FC the winner!

A very good game of football sees us end the league stage of the ISL season 2019/20 with the spoils being shared. Chennaiyin FC took the lead early in the first half but Martin Chaves levelled the score from the spot-kick after Tondonba Singh was sent off. It was a slow start to the second half but NorthEast United FC made the extra man count and took the lead. Once again it was Martin Chaves who registered his name on the scoresheet. This time it was a screamer from the Uruguayan striker. It looked like the Highlanders will end their disappointing campaign with a win but an old friend came back to haunt them. Former NorthEast United FC player, Lallianzuala Chhangte levelled at the death to deny the home fans a happy ending.

Full time

Here goes the final whistle and it ends all square in Guwahati.

GOALLL!!!

Lallianzuala Chhangte has scored a superb goal and has levelled at the death against his former side. Germanpreet Singh plays a short pass to Lallianzuala Chhangte on the right side of the box. The winger takes a touch, cuts inside and drills it at his near post to beat Soram Poirei.

Added time

The fourth official has indicated 4 minutes to be added on at the end of regulation 90.

Super save followed by block

Redeem Tlang gets a brilliant through ball from Milan Singh on the left. Redeem gets inside the box and looks to get his shot away but Karanjit Singh comes out of his line and makes a save off his foot. It falls to Martin Chaves who has a shy but Deepak Tangri blocks it at the goalline for a corner.

Away

Martin Chaves with a chance for a hat-trick. Milan Singh plays a good aerial through ball to find Martin Chaves. He makes a run and tries his luck from way out but it is a wrong decision from him as his shot is well off target. Chaves had more time than he realized.

Substitution

Chennaiyin FC are making a double change here. Remi and Dhanpal Ganesh are done for the evening and they are replaced by Jerry Lalrinzuala and Lallianzuala Chhangte.

Great cross but the finish is missing!

Milan Singh and Martin Chaves are once again in the thick of action. Milan Singh gets the ball on the right and he dashes forward. He whips in a floated cross inside the box as Martin Chaves beats his defender. He looks to head the ball but Karanjit Singh comes out of his line to punch it away. Chaves gets his header on the ball but Karanjit gets some hand on it and the ball goes out for a corner. Karanjit Singh ends up punching Martin Chaves in the followup but luckily, the NorthEast United FC striker is fine.

GOALLL!!!

What a goal from Martin Chaves! He has scored an absolute screamer! Martin Chaves whips in a corner from the left but the keeper comes out and punches it away. It goes to Milan Singh on the right who dashes forward and whips in a cross inside the box. Nim Dorjee flicks it behind and Martin Chaves hits the volley first time and finds the right corner of the net to stun everyone and give the home team the lead. The home fans are going absolutely mental looking at that peach! Surely has to be a contender for the goal of the season.

Substitution

First change of the game and it comes from the away side. Laldinliana Renthlei comes on and replaces Edwin Vanspaul.

Just wide

Lalengmawia's rocket shot misses the goal by only just. Rakesh Pradhan lays it up outside the box and in centre for Lalengmawia. He takes a touch and sees there is enough space for him to try his luck. He hits a powerful shot but it goes wide of the goal and hits the post behind the goal.

Midfield muddle

Both sides are having a midfield battle but neither has been able to pose any threat. Chennaiyin FC will be the happier side with this as they are a man down.

Foul

Germanpreet Singh is brought down by Jose Leudo. Nothing but just a free kick for the away side.

Second half!

We are back for the second half. Chennaiyin FC get us underway for this one. There is no substitution made by either side in the half-time.

Intriguing first half!

We have witnessed some excellent football so far! NorthEast United FC started brightly but against the run of play, Masih Saighani scored the first goal of the match to hand the lead to Chennaiyin FC in the 17th minute. The home team tried their best but failed to find the final touch as Chennaiyin FC stood firm in defense. However, in the 41st minute, Tondonba Singh committed a mistake of bringing down Ninthoi inside the box to concede a penalty and bag a red card for himself. Martin Chaves calmly converted it to get the equalizer and the Highlanders head into the break in a good headspace. They also have the advantage of one extra man on the field and would like to earn all three points in their last match of the season. Do join us in a short while for more action.

Half time

The referee blows the whistle after the completion of the added two minutes and the first half comes to a close. It's 1-1 at the break.

GOALLL!!!

Martin Chaves keeps his calm and levels the score for the home side. Martin Chaves walks up for the penalty, keeps his calm, shows composure as he sends the keeper the wrong way. Karanjit Singh goes to his left and Martin Chaves hits straight.

Penalty and red card

Tondonba Singh has not just conceded a penalty but he is also off for an early shower. Jose Leudo plays a delightful cross-field ball to spot the run of Ninthoi who beats Tondonba Singh with pace and gets inside the box. The Chennaiyin FC defender ends up tripping Ninthoi from behind. The referee points to the spot and dishes out a red card for Tondonba. He is off for an early shower and the away side will now have to see off this game with 10 men.

Just away

Martin Chaves runs with the ball and lays it to Redeem Tlang. Chaves continues his run and Redeem plays a good chipper ball but he gets too much on it and Martin Chaves fails to get to the ball. Good planning but the execution can be improved.

Yellow card

Finally the referee has had enough and he dishes out the first yellow card of the game. Germanpreet Singh pulls Milan Singh from behind to stop a counter. The referee catches it and sees there is no intent to win the ball and books Germanpreet Singh.

Blocked

Jose Leudo with an important block that keeps the away side's lead to one. Wayne Vaz makes a loose touch inside the box after a cross from Remi. Anirudh Thapa latches onto it and takes it on the right foot. He tries to curl it in but Jose Leudo slides and blocks the shot for a corner.

Off target

Rahim Ali lays it up outside the box for Germanpreet Singh for a rolling shot. He tries his luck from outside but his shot keeps going high and does not trouble Soram Poirei.

Strong tackle

Dhanpal Ganesh goes in with a sliding tackle to win the ball but he ends up taking down Lalengmawia. Once again the referee keeps his cards in his pocket but these niggling tackles and fouls surely will play a part going forward in this game.

Foul

Wayne Vaz trips Rahim Ali and the referee spots it. No card to the NorthEast United FC defender but he will need to be careful.

GOALLL!!!

Chennaiyin FC have taken the lead against the run of play and even with a slightly weakened side, the away side has got the lead. Masih Saighani flicks a header inside the box from a throw-in. His header is in the crowded area and after a sloppy clearance, it falls back to Masih Saighani who hits it firm and hard. Soram Poirei gets his hands to it but the shot is so ferocious that he cannot keep it out and the ball hits the back of the net.

Corner

First corner of the game and it falls to the home side. Milan Singh takes an inswinging corner from the left. He whips the ball inside the box but it is easily headed out by Edwin Vanspaul.

Wasted again

Jose Leudo plays a lovely long ball from his own half to spot the quick run of Ninthoi. He gets to the ball and squares it back, at the edge of the box to Martin Chaves but he loses the ball.

Wasted free kick

Milan Singh takes the free kick from the right. It is in a good position to send in a dangerous cross inside the box but his free kick has too much power and it goes straight out of play.

First shot but not of any danger

Martin Chaves runs with the ball from the left, he cuts in and Milan Singh makes a dissecting run. Chaves lays it up on the right and Milan Singh hits it first time but it is straight to the keeper.

Kick off!

The referee blows his whistle and the home side gets us underway for the first half.

Toss

Chennaiyin FC win the toss and have decided to attack from left to right in the first half.

National Anthem

Both sets of players walk out to the middle along with their mascots for the Indian National Anthem.

Chennaiyin FC Playing XI

Karanjit Singh (GK/C), Tondonba Singh, Masih Saighani, Deepak Tangri, Remi, Edwin Vanspaul, Thoi Singh, Anirudh Thapa, Dhanpal Ganesh, Germanpreet Singh, Rahim Ali.

NorthEast United FC Playing XI

Soram Poirei (GK), Wayne Vaz, Reagan Singh, Nim Dorjee, Rakesh Pradhan, Jose Leudo (C), Ninthoi, Milan Singh, Redeem Tlang, Lalengmawia, Martin Chaves.

Will Chennaiyin FC get the podium finish?

We're into the last day of the League stage in this edition of the Indian Super League and this match has the capacity to decide the number 3 team on the points table. Chennaiyin FC have travelled to Guwahati and will be crossing swords against NorthEast United FC. Their main aim will be to overpower the home team and finish above Bengaluru FC in the table. After experiencing a very ordinary start to this season, the Marina Machans picked themselves up under Owen Coyle and peaked at the right time. Currently, they have built an outstanding 7-match unbeaten streak (winning six and drawing one) and are quickly becoming the team to beat in this term. They are in red hot form and the presence of Nerijus Valskis, Rafael Crivellaro, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Andre Schembri has been the prime reason for their success. There is a possibility that the visitors will rest several key players who have picked three yellow cards and run the danger of missing the semis if they receive another card. That allows them the opportunity to test out the fringe players but expect no drop in intensity of their game. NorthEast United FC, on the other hand, are lying at the ninth position in the table and irrespective of any result this evening, they will finish 9th. It's been a hapless season for them and currently, they are on a 13-match winless run. Injuries to key players like Asamoah Gyan, Kai Heerings have cost them big and as a result, they have scored the least number of goals in this edition. Furthermore, Federico Gallego is suspended for this match and the Highlanders have their task cut out to contain Chennaiyin FC. They will receive the services of Redeem Tlang, Jose Leudo, Wayne Vaz and Rakesh Pradhan who were suspended for their last match. NorthEast suffered a 1-5 drubbing against Hyderabad FC and would be aiming to win their final game and sign off on a positive note. Should be an entertaining evening!