ISL 2015: Bruno, Mendoza and Jeje all score as Chennaiyin rout Atletico 3-0 in semifinal 1st leg

Pune: Chennaiyin FC put in a thoroughly dominating performance against Atletico de Kolkata in the first leg of the Indian Super League semifinal to emerge with a 3-0 win at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Saturday. Goals from Chennaiyin’s starting front three of Bruno Pelissari, Jeje Lalpekhlua and the tournament’s leading scorer Stiven Mendoza meant Marco Materazzi’s side have registered their fifth win on the trot – a tournament record – to get one foot in the finals to be played in Goa. This was also Chennai’s first win over Antonio Habas’ side at the fifth time of asking. Chennaiyin FC’s forward line combined with each other brilliantly throughout the evening in front of a sizeable crowd in Pune, despite the venue being shifted from Chennai at the last minute due to the unprecedented floods in the city. [caption id=“attachment_2543492” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Bruno, Jeje and Mendoza – Chennaiyin’s front three. ISL[/caption] The pick of the goals had to be Bruno’s opener on the night as he fired in a powerful free-kick from nearly 30 yards to give Chennai the lead in the 38th minute. The Brazilian hit a low, swerving kick to beat Atletico’s goalkeeper Amrinder Singh low to his right at the near post. Mendoza and Jeje then assisted each other and grabbed a goal each in the second half as Atletico tried to get back in the game. Kolkata’s midfield lynchpin Borja Fernandez’ early substitution, seemingly due to a niggle, did not help the visitors’ cause as they struggled to create clear-cut chances. In a first half that was start-stop in nature with too many fouls, there were few clear cut chances for either side. Chennaiyin’s opener came from one such foul on Mendoza as Bruno enhanced his reputation as a deadly set-piece taker in the absence of the suspended Elano. Mendoza could have got the ‘home’ team off to the perfect start after a long throw from the left flank gave the Colombian striker two shots at goal. The first effort was blocked and the second was hit well but straight at the keeper – both on target. Atletico’s wingers Arata Izumi and Sameegh Doutie could not get into the game enough, and star forward Iain Hume cut an isolated figure for most of the match. Tall Serbian forward Dejan Lekic (who came on for Borja) looked threatening with this physicality but both him and Hume did not get necessary service. Lekic had a chance early in the second half when he turned and shot from outside the box but the ball flew inches past Edel Bete. Atletico’s Amrinder, who was almost caught wandering outside the box late in the first half, repeated his error on the 57th minute. This time Mendoza made him pay, turning past him and despite facing an open goal, unselfishly slipped a pass to Jeje who slotted home with ease from barely two yards out. Eleven minutes later it was Jeje’s turn to become the provider as he played a delightful chip from the edge of the area to put Mendoza on goal and the Colombian finished unerringly to grab his 12th goal of the season. After that it was a case of seeing the match through for Materazzi’s side. Bernard Mendy and Mailson Alves (who put in an excellent last-ditch tackle in the first half to deny Hume) were solid at the back for Chennai. When Lekic was found by a cut-back from Arata Izumi from the left-wing, Mendy stood tall to block two shots on target from the forward, taking the first one flush on his forehead but still standing his ground. Mendoza and Bruno were both subbed late in the game, with the former stretchered off and the latter cramping up. But the form side of the tournament will be happy to be on the right side of a 3-0 scoreline in the semi-final first leg after their defeat to Kerala Blasters by the same scoreline at the same stage last year.