ISL 2017, Match 18: Chennaiyin FC vs ATK, 5 Talking Points

Modified Dec 07, 2017 23:55 IST

Chennaiyin FC earned their second victory in front of their home crowd in ISL 2017, as they romped home to a 3-2 victory over defending champions ATK, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Chennai, on Thursday.

While it turned out to be a drab first half, the second half proved to be a rather exciting affair, as both the sides kept cancelling each other out with successive goals. However, it was a brace by Chennaiyin striker Jeje Llpekhlua, that decided the match, as ATK remained winless after playing their first four matches.

On that note, let’s take a look at some of the key points from the match.

Jeje Lalpekhlua back in action

He may have been rather quiet in the first three games of the season, but Jeje Lalpekhlua silenced all his critics with a brace, that earned Chennaiyin the 3-2 win in the end. Interestingly, he did not have much of an impact on the game, other than his two goals. In fact, he cut a rather forlorn figure inside the box, being towered by the ATK defenders as he played the role of the lone striker.

However, he did what exactly what coach John Gregory would have expected of him. Get in the right spot at the right time, to put the ball at the back of the net – twice.

ATK caught in possession time and again

ATK were often caught in possession. (Photo: ISL)

The Kolkata outfit do like to keep possession, but for long parts of the game, it looked like the Kolkata outfit did not know what to do with the ball. Time and again, the Chennaiyin midfielders closed down the ATK players, and launch quick counter-attacks, both down the centre and down the flanks.

Coach Teddy Sheringham has a difficult task ahead of him, as ATK go into a 10-day break. His main aim going into the future matches will be to help his side link up with the forwards and find that final pass, instead of giving the ball away in possession.

Robbie Keane looks lively on his return

We finally got to see former Tottenham Hotspur legend Robbie Kean in action in the ISL, as Sheringham brought him on as a second-half substitute after his side went 1-0 down. There were a lot of concerns as to whether the 37-year-old can match his performances of old. Adding to the concerns was the worry of whether he had properly recovered from his injury.

However, Keane silenced his critics, playing a crucial role in the build-up to both of ATK’s goals. He looked lively in the box, and danced around the defenders, reigniting memories of his old days at the White Hart Lane.

Ignio Calderon unmindful in defence

He may have scored Chennaiyin’s second goal, but Ignio Calderon almost threw away the victory, as ATK’s Njazi Kuqi levelled the scores late on, to make it 2-2. Ignio was caught ball-watching during this goal, as Robbie Keane set Kuqi through with a brilliant pass from just outside the box. The Spaniard’s poor positioning completely negated Chennaiyin’s offside trap, and allowed Kuqi the space to make the run behind the defenders.

Thankfully for Ignio, Jeje was there to save the day in the end, as he scored a last-minute winner, to hand the Super Machans a 3-2 win. The Spaniard has been brilliant going forward, but he clearly needs to work on his coordination with his fellow defenders.

Debjit howler decides the match

It was a thoroughly thrilling game between the two sides, with all the five goals coming in quick succession in the second half. Indeed, both the sides looked to have cancelled each other out. In fact, a draw would, in all probabilities have been a fair result.

However, a terrible howler from ATK goalkeeper was all that it took for Chennai to earn their second win of the season, in front of their home fans. Debjit spilt a routine low cross right into the path of Jeje, who duly obliged by coolly slotting it into an empty net, past the sprawling ATK keeper. The former Mohun Bagan man needs to cut out these mistakes, or else could soon find himself relegated to the bench.

Edited by Soumo Ghosh