Chennaiyin FC managed to hold league leaders Mohun Bagan Super Giant to a 0-0 draw during their Indian Super League 2024-25 clash on Tuesday. The match, held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai, showcased intense competition from both sides.
Pritam Kotal Starts Strong for Chennaiyin
Notably, Pritam Kotal made his debut for Chennaiyin after recently joining from Kerala Blasters FC. Starting at right-back, he immediately made an impact. Meanwhile, captain Ryan Edwards returned to the defensive lineup, and Vignesh Dakshinamurthy earned his first start of the season at left-back. Together, they added much-needed stability to the defense.
Promising Start for Chennaiyin
From the outset, Chennaiyin displayed attacking intent. In the very first minute, Wilmar Jordan Gil intercepted the ball from a defender and tested the goalkeeper with a quick shot. Shortly after, Mohammad Nawaz made an excellent save to deny a long-range attempt from Deepak Tangri, keeping Chennaiyin in the game.
Kotal and Vignesh Make an Impression
Furthermore, Kotal looked comfortable in his new role, contributing to both defense and attack with precise passes. Similarly, Vignesh made the most of his start by pushing forward. In the 18th minute, his excellent curling pass nearly connected with Jordan Gil, but Mohun Bagan’s goalkeeper Vishal Kaith anticipated the move and intercepted the ball.
Missed Opportunities
As the game progressed, both teams created chances but failed to convert them. Midway through the first half, Kiyan Nassiri dispossessed a defender and set up Jordan Gil. The Colombian forward skillfully cut inside but saw his shot blocked by a last-minute defensive lunge.
Later, Chennaiyin came agonizingly close to scoring. In the 36th minute, Connor Shields delivered a pinpoint cross to Jordan Gil, who controlled the ball beautifully despite defensive pressure. However, his shot struck the upright, denying Chennaiyin a crucial lead.
Intense Second Half
After the break, both teams intensified their efforts to find a breakthrough. In the 89th minute, Ryan Edwards had a golden chance to score from a Shields cross, but he missed the target. Moments later, Nawaz made a decisive save by deflecting a dangerous cross from Manvir Singh, ensuring the match ended in a stalemate.
Looking Ahead
With this draw, Chennaiyin earned another valuable point. They will now turn their focus to their next match against FC Goa at Fatorda on Saturday, January 25. Although they couldn’t secure a win, their strong performance against the league leaders provides plenty of positives moving forward.
