New Delhi: What Mohammedan Sporting couldn’t achieve through impressive performances in their opening two matches, they achieved against Chennaiyin FC on Thursday, winning 1-0 to notch up their first victory after promotion to the Indian Super League.
Last season’s I-League champions conceded late goals to lose 0-1 against NorthEast United and draw 1-1 with FC Goa at home but won their first away game as Lalremsanga Fanai scored for the century-old club in the 39th minute.
Though for major portions of the match they were under pressure but a communication breakdown between Chennaiyin keeper Samik Mitra and his team-mate PC Laldinpuia resulted in an open net for Fanai to stroll the ball in and put Mohammedan ahead.
Till then Chennaiyin looked like the team likely to core as they created several chances but nither could Irfan Yadwad head on target on five minutes nor Lalrinliana Hnamte could avoid goalmouth jam to hit on target.
Chennaiyin had once escaped from conceding from a miscalculated backpass from Laldinliana Renthlei on 33 minutes when Alexis Gomez rounded Mitra but hit the post from an acute angle while trying to slot the ball into an empty net.
Terrible mix-up leads to MSC goal
But six minutes later, they were punished as Mitra came off the line only for Laldinpuia to pass the ball towards him and Fanai gleefully put the ball into a vacant goal.
Dejected for conceding in such fashion and down by a goal at half time, CFC found their way into the opposition box several times once the action resumed.
But the home team’s players didn’t have their scoring boots on as Ryan Edwards headed wide. As time passed and gaps began to open up on the CFC half as they poured forward, Mohammedan got sighters at goal as Mirjalol Kasimov brought out a diving save from Mitra.
Mohammedan had a great opportunity to put the game to bed when substitute Cesar Lobi Manzoki won a penalty in the fourth minute of added time but side footed his shot high.
In the remaining three minutes of action, Gaurav Bpra had to make a goalline save to prevent conceding late for the third consecutive match and win for the first match in the ISL.
The win lifted Mohammedan to fifth with four points from three matches, just above Chennaiyin who have three points after two games.
Lalremsanga Fanai scored in the 39th minute as Mohammedan Sporting beat Chennaiyin FC 1-0 for their first win in the ISL since their promotion Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
