AFC Cup 2019: Chennaiyin FC vs Abahani Limited Dhaka - 5 Talking Points

#3 Missile long throws

Chennaiyin's defence held up well against some good pressure

Abahani Dhaka played a 4-2-3-1 formation with Wellington Priori, a midfielder, operating as centre-back. Former Kerala Blasters and Jamshedpur FC man Kervens Belfort took the wide left position behind the striker, Sunday Chizobe, who arrived on matchday after sorting out his visa issues.

While their on-ground passing game was quite good and they did indeed cause Chennaiyin much trouble with their speedy attacks, their long throws proved to be quite the go-to-option on more than one occasion.

This reporter can recount about 8 instances in this match where Dhaka resorted to the long throw when a throw-in was at hand close to the 18-yard-box. And they really did threaten with these set-pieces, the Chennaiyin defenders having to be on high alert to anticipate knock-ons and loose balls.

While they certainly did create a flutter on a few occasions, no clear cut chances materialized, they did put their opponents under a lot of pressure with it.