I-League 2021: Vineeth Kumar scores brace as Chennai City put five past Indian Arrows; Aizawl FC beat NEROCA

Kalyani: Chennai City FC took a huge leap toward survival in the I-League with a 5-0 win over Indian Arrows on Thursday. A Vineeth Kumar brace coupled with goals from Rajesh, Jockson Dhas and Iqbal Hussain aided Chennai City FC to go four points clear of relegation rivals NEROCA, who had lost earlier in the day. With this win, Chennai City also ended their five-match streak of losses and, coincidentally, their last win had come against NEROCA in the first phase of the season. Coming on the back of a 2-1 loss against Sudeva Delhi FC, Chennai City FC took control of the game by the scruff of its neck. The Chennai-based club dominated possession and created chances in a bid to propel themselves out of the relegation spot with a win. The last affair between both the teams was a tactical battle with Chennai City only able to pip the Indian Arrows 1-0. However, this time as well nothing seemed to change as both teams entangled in a battle for midfield for much of the half. All of Chennai’s possession failed to open the doors of the Arrows defence as the youngsters defended with acumen. However, the Arrows could only hold out Chennai’s attacking intensity for so long. In the 36th minute, Sriram burst on the left flank and dribbled past the Arrows defence before squaring the ball for Rajesh. With a well-timed shot, Rajesh found the back of the net from close range to make it 1-0 in Chennai’s favour. Chennai City FC continued their usual attacking form in the second half and were rewarded for their play as early as the 49th minute when a long ball from the midfield found Vineeth Kumar straight onto goal. In the 59th minute, the Chennai-based club capitalized on attacking momentum as Jockson Dhas’s attempt from outside of the box flew into the back of the net. With a 3-0 lead and the result of the match all but secured, Chennai continued to dominate possession and thwarted half chances for the Indian Arrows with ease. Aizawl FC escape relegation zone Lalliansanga’s 46th-minute strike helped Aizawl FC climb out of the relegation zone by pipping NEROCA FC 1-0. With the victory, Yan Law’s side has now accumulated 18 points from 11 games, and become the first team from Group B to confirm its security from relegation at the end of the season. The first chance of the game fell to Aizawl in the seventh minute as Bishorjit Singh was forced to be quick off his line to clear the danger from a free-kick. On the other end, NEROCA threatened the Aizawl goal in the ninth minute when Jude Garcia met Subash Singam’s cutback and forced a save from Lalmuansanga. Aizawl took the lead in the 46th minute, just seconds after the restart when Lalliansanga met Brandon’s early cross and sent his well-placed header past a stranded Bishorjit Singh in the NEROCA goal. With a goal lead, Aizawl looked comfortable in ball possession and kept knocking the NEROCA defence in search of a second goal. Ramhlunchhunga’s cross found Lalremsanga at the end of a well-built Aizawl move, but the striker’s header lacked both power and direction as it was easily saved by Bishorjit in the 55th minute.

Aizawl were inches away from the second goal in the 62nd minute when Brandon burst into the area and struck his shot against the framework. NEROCA spurred a good opportunity to level the scores in the 74th minute as Varun Thokchom squared the ball to Judah Garcia, but his strike did not have the power to beat Lalmuansanga. Songpu Singsit pounced on a loose punch from the Aizawl keeper but failed to hit the target from just inside the area in the 82nd minute. NEROCA kept attacking, searching for just one good opportunity, but the former I-League champions went on to run the clock down and secure the victory in their first game of Phase-II.