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

#5 Subs do the trick for a team that looked woefully short going forward

Some of the variations tried by the Englishman didn’t pay off

The veteran pairing of Jeje Lalpekhlua and Mohammed Rafi were once again entrusted with leading the attacking line by Gregory.

However, some of the variations tried by the Englishman didn’t pay off. With a distinct lack of wingers in the team, Gregory used Rafi, a centre-forward in the traditional mould, wide on the left, away from the goalmouth.

Thoi Singh meanwhile on the right has shown all season that the pace and legs he brings to the side are quickly undone by his lack of a final ball and composure on it, be it for a finish or in the case of going past a defender.

The second half substitutions by Gregory are what changed the game and opened things up for Chennaiyin.

CK Vineeth was first brought on for Jeje and Isaac then replaced Rafi. With the new introductions, Vineeth played through the middle, Thapa moving out left to support him and perform the role of a winger, while Thoi took the right flank.

Isaac dropped into space behind the front three to play pocket passes and link up play and recycle possession. This gave the team a better look and a better shape to try and open up the Dhaka defence.

With the home slate now wiped clean, Chennaiyin will travel away to Bangladesh first, and then late to Minerva Punjab and then Nepal on the final matchday.