Indian Super League Highlights: Mendy Scores Stunning Goal as Chennaiyin FC Beat Kerala Blasters 2-1
The South Indian derby between Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters resulted in a 2-1 win for home side Chennai, who found the winner in the second half after the scores were level for a while. The mind-boggling goal from Mendy proved to be the decider of the game. Catch all the highlights from the match here.
Chennaiyin FC beat Kerala Blasters FC 2-1 in a South Indian derby of the Indian Super League. Follow all highlights here: (Scorecard)
20:57 (IST): Chennai edge Kerala 2-1, move to second. Mendy's bicycle kick goal for Chennai was the highlight of the match.
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20:51 (IST): 90' We will have five minutes of injury time played between these two teams. Chennaiyin FC 2 Kerala Blasters 1.
20:45 (IST): Just over five minutes left in the game as Chennai try to hold on to their 2-1 lead.
20:40 (IST): 79' ANOTHER SCRIMMAGE! The players break into a feud again! Both side players get into a pHysical fight. Michael Chopra pushes the players and Mendy has to intervene to separate the players.
20:33 (IST): 73' Chennai captain Bojan Djordjic leaves the field to a rousing reception from the crowd. He is replaced by Pelissari.
20:25 (IST): 63' A bicycle kick GOAAL in the ISL! Central defender Mendy scores for Chennai and it's now Chennaiyin FC 2 Kerala Blasters 1.
20:15 (IST): 55' SUBSTITUTIONS FOR KERALA! Stephen Pearson comes in place of the injured Victor Herrero Forcada, who scored the opening goal today. Pulga, as he is called, has had a painful thigh strain. And Michael Chopra replaces Orji.
20:11 (IST): 50' Kerala get their first ISL goal as Hume slots it in from close range and it's now Chennaiyin FC 1 Kerala Blasters 1.
20:07 (IST): 46' CHEEKY EFFORT! Chennai's Bernard Mendy makes an attempt from behind the half-line. The strong lad blazes it towards the opponents goal. David James was alert there as he goes back behind and saves it!
19:50 (IST): Chennaiyin FC lead Kerala Blasters 1-0 at half-time. Elano scored from the penalty spot in the 14th minute.
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19:44 (IST): 44' Did you know? Kerala goalkeeper David James has the most clean sheets in English Premier League history? He has conceded one already here though as Chennai lead 1-0 with halftime approaching.
19:43 (IST): Superstar Rajinikanth is in the house too to watch this exciting match and he is sitting with Sachin Tendulkar in the stands. What's more? Amitabh Bachhan sits right beside.
19:42 (IST): 38' Chennai's Mendoza given a yellow card for faking an injury inside the box. He was 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper and had a great chance to score but the Colombian twisted sideways with the ball as the goalkeeper made a dash at the ball. Mendoza fell down and the referee thought it was done deliberately to seek a penalty.
19:35 (IST): 32' Kerala's Pulga cuts inside and goes for goal but the ball sails just over the bar, brilliant attempt. Kerala need some more inspiration here, and they are looking for it desperately. Chennai 1 Kerala 0 as of now.
19:23 (IST): 21' NICE TRY! Penn Ikechukwu Orji shows his skills by doing a couple of step overs on the left flank. He keeps the defenders busy and eventually passes it to his partner who puts in the cross. Sandesh Jhingan tries to clear the ball but only till the tip of the box. Elano lingers around the box and takes the shot but way over the frame!
19:16 (IST): GOAAL! Chennaiyin FC take a 1-0 lead straight away (14th minute) as Elano comfortably converts the penalty.
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19:15 (IST): PENALTY! Kerala's Gurwinder makes a reckless challenge & Chennai now have a chance to take the lead.
19:04 (IST): 1' WONDERFUL CHANCE RIGHT AWAY! Abhishek capitalises as the left back slips at the edge of the box. The winger looks up and puts in a brilliant cross for Balwant Singh who dives and takes a brilliantheader but off target. What an opportunity to go up early!
19:02 (IST): The match between MS Dhoni's Chennaiyin FC and Sachin Tendulkar's Kerala Blasters is now underway.
18:43 (IST): ALL SET! Hello and welcome for game no.9 between Chennaiyin FC and Kerala Blasters FC. After a heavy downpour yesterday, the groundsmen have done extremely well to get the ground ready for the game. It will be a little slippery there and the fans will witness some whimsical moments. Chennai have lost out on their practice sessions because of rain. Will they be rusty? Only time can tell.
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Expect all hell to break loose in Chennai "@yaps9: #ChennaiyinFC vs #KeralaBlasters in ISL tonight. Watchout for @superstarrajini "
- Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) October 21, 2014
T 1651 - @Chennaiyin FC .. GO CHENNAI .. dear friend Rajnikanth coming along with me to cheer home team in Stadium Marina Arena ..
- Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) October 21, 2014
Chennaiyin FC will look to consolidate their position in the points table while Kerala Blasters FC will be seeking to open their account when they take on each other in a Indian Super League fixture in Chennai on Tuesday.
Chennaiyin FC had started their campaign with a win over FC Goa while Kerala Blasters FC went down to Northeast United FC in their tournament opener away for home.
The hosts are placed fourth on the standings while the visiting side is struggling at the bottom of the heap. (Full preview)
The Chennai outfit, who prevailed over FC Goa 1-2 in their opening match in a pulsating encounter away from home, will be a tough nut to crack.
And the home support at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will only strengthen their morale, which is already on a high after collecting full points at the start.
Chennaiyin FC Sign Eric Djemba Djemba, Jean Maurice
Chennaiyin FC have announced the signings of Cameroonian midfielder Eric Djemba Djemba and Haitian forward Jean Maurice Edu after the imminent departures of Swedish midfielder Pierre Tillman and Spanish striker Eduardo Silva Lerma. (Read more)
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There were technical issues with the contracts of both Tillman and Eduardo and thus they will leave Chennaiyin FC.
Djemba Djemba is a former Manchester United player and was last playing for Scottish Premiership club, St Mirren. Maurice is a former Paris Saint Germain player and has also featured for Lens and Le Mans in the French top-tier.