Chennaiyin FC suffer first AFC Cup defeat with narrow 3-2 loss to Abahani Limited Dhaka

Dhaka, Bangladesh, May 15, 2019: Chennaiyin FC endured their first AFC Cup defeat in a 3-2 loss to Abahani Limited Dhaka at the Bangabandhu National Stadium here today. After CK Vineeth had given Chennaiyin an early lead, Abahani came from behind in the second half with two goals in five minutes. Isaac Vanmalsawma drew CFC level soon after, but Mamunul Islam’s late goal handed the Dhaka side all three points. With the result, Abahani draw level with Chennaiyin on seven points from four games. CFC however remain top on goal difference.

Head Coach John Gregory, who signed a new one-year deal at the club last week, made three changes to the side that defeated Abahani 1-0 in Ahmedabad a fortnight back. Wingers Francisco Fernandes and Isaac Vanmalsawma along with striker CK Vineeth replaced Thoi Singh, Mohammed Rafi and Jeje Lalpekhlua respectively. Local Tamil Nadu midfielder Sinivasan Pandiyan featured in CFC’s matchday squad in the AFC Cup for the first time.

Chennaiyin made a bright start as Renthlei made a surging run down the right in the fourth minute, combining with Francis who was making his first AFC Cup appearance for CFC. Dinliana got into a promising position but could find only the Abahani keeper with his cross.

Chennaiyin did convert their dominance into the opening goal in the sixth minute. Isaac’s corner kick found Vineeth unmarked at the far post, the Kerala-born striker tapping it in for his first AFC Cup goal of the season, and his fifth overall in the competition.

CFC continued to press Abahani on all quarters of the pitch. Eli Sabia had a goal disallowed shortly after when he turned in Vineeth’s flick-on from another Isaac set-piece.

Abahani worked Karanjit for the first time in the 20th minute. Sunday Chizoba’s flick-on to Belfort found the latter in space. The Haitian striker’s low drive was turned wide by Karanjit for a corner.

With the half-hour mark approaching, Abahani enjoyed a spell of sustained possession. From a set-piece, Sunday tested Karanjit with a header from close range. The keeper was in the right place at the right time to hold on to the ball.

Sunday then missed a gilt-edged chance to put his side level. The Nigerian striker’s pass for Belfort came back to him courtesy a CFC block. Sunday couldn’t keep his composure as he blasted his shot over the bar from close range.

Abahani had another big chance couple of minutes later. Forward Mohammad Nabib managed to find the onrushing Jewel Rana on the right, who’d snuck up on CFC left-back Jerry Lalrinzuala. The Bangladeshi winger though flashed his first-time shot just wide of Karanjit’s post.

Having led by the solitary goal at the break, CFC were quick off the blocks in the second period. Anirudh Thapa was the orchestrator in midfield as he laid up Isaac at the edge of the box on the break. Isaac took a touch before curling it past the Abahani keeper, only for the shot to strike the crossbar and go over.

Ten minutes into the second half, the game became more end-to-end. Isaac had moved into a more central role with Thapa taking up his position on the left.

At the other end, Abahani continued to get into promising positions. And in the 65th minute, they did find a way past the Chennaiyin backline and Karanjit. A long ball found Belfort in space, who pulled away from Mailson before placing it out of Karanjit’s reach to make it 1-1. It was the first goal conceded by CFC in their debut AFC Cup campaign in their sixth outing, including the qualifying play-off round.

Abahani then went 2-1 up after five minutes, through Masih Saighani’s well-taken free kick from the right. The Afghan defender curled it past Karanjit’s reach, his effort going in off the crossbar.

In response, CFC made their first change of the evening as Thoi Singh replaced Francisco.

And the Manipuri winger made an instant impact as he ran on to Mailson Alves’ slightly overhit pass, creating confusion in the Abahani box. Thoi managed to keep his feet before squaring it to Isaac, who kept his calm and slid it in to make it 2-2. A frantic ten minutes seeing three goals scored, with Isaac scoring his first AFC Cup goal of the campaign akin to Vineeth.

Karanjit then made a brilliant save in the 84th minute to keep the scores level. The CFC custodian showing great reflexes to keep out Belfort’s glancing header from close range.

Abahani were a threat from long throws all evening. And it was from one such chance they went 3-2 up. The second ball fell to Mamunul Islam, whose half-volley flew into the top corner.

After a four-week break, Chennaiyin will take on Minerva Punjab in Guwahati in their penultimate AFC Cup group game on Wednesday 19th June.

2019 AFC Cup Group E Matchday 4:

Abahani Limited Dhaka (Bangladesh) 3 (Kervens Belfort 64’, Masih Saighani 69’, Mamunul Islam 88’) beat Chennaiyin FC (India) 2 (CK Vineeth 6’, Isaac Vanmalsawma 74’)