Chennaiyin FC emerged unbeaten from their back to back away games as the Super Machans drew 1-1 with hosts, FC Pune City. Both the teams could have taken all three points in an attacking match and scored sublime goals which got the crowd on their feet in Pune. First, it was Jeje Lalpekhlua who opened the scoring for the visitors with a delightful lob from over 25 yards and then it was Pune's no.9, Anibal Rodriguez, who scored from 20-25 yards from a set piece to share the honours on the night.
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Chennaiyin manager, Marco Materazzi was miffed about a lot of issues in his press conference as he said, "The team made some stupid fouls which would not have been committed by even kids. But I am happy with the performance as we had a game on Thursday and this was a good effort from the boys. We had chances to take all three points but failed to capitalise on it."
Chennaiyin's midfield duo of Siam Shanghai and Hans Mulder started both the away games and the Italian was full of praises for his players as he said, "Siam is only 20 years old but he did the best hr could have done. I selected the best possible 11 and I won't comment anything on the league's schedule as every team will have to go through it during the season." He also revealed that the team who will manage their resources well and will have fewer injuries will win this season.
Happy with goalkeeper situation
Chennaiyin replaced goalkeeper Karanjit Singh with Duwayne Kerr as the Super Machans' manager explained that Singh had a high fever after their game against NorthEast United as he said, "The most important part for everyone is to cheer for the team even if they are not selected. I am very happy with the goalkeeping situation and what matters the most is how the players react in difficult situations and they are doing it just fine."
Materazzi also accused FC Pune City's players of diving as he said that Pune's Jonaton Lucca had dived three out of four times and the set piece they received should not have been awarded to the hosts. He was happy about his side's defensive performance as he said that the reigning champions did not give away a single chance from open play to the hosts as he said that Pune City relied on set pieces to inflict some damage on his team.
The champions moved to the third spot in the league while Pune leapfrogged Kerala Blasters to sit in the sixth position after five matches.
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