AFC Cup: Chennaiyin FC 2-0 Manang Marshyangdi Club - 5 Talking Points

Chennaiyin FC defeated Manang Marshyangdi Club of Nepal 2-0 on Wednesday in their second group game in Group G of the AFC Cup at the The Arena Stadium in Ahmedabad. In their first game two weeks ago Chennaiyin had drawn 0-0 against fellow Indian side Minerva Punjab. The three points from today's win took them to four points, tied with Abahani Dhaka, but ahead on goal difference.

Playing their second game in the space of five days after their exertions in the final of the Super Cup last Saturday, Chennaiyin were in the midst of a hectic schedule and needed a win to push home the advantage of getting to play all three of their home games in a row up front.

Playing with a higher tempo Chennaiyin probed early and created plenty of openings in the first half. However the goal proved elusive.

But the second half provided the dividends for their efforts as a two-goal burst within the first 10 minutes of the half did the trick for John Gregory's men.

First Chris Herd, driving from midfield, took an ambitious-looking shot from outside the box. The ball took a slight deflection from a Manang player and ended up looping over their keeper and into goal.

1-0 in the 51st minute and just two minutes later skipper Mailson Alves headed home powerfully from a corner to double the lead for Chennaiyin.

Chennaiyin then saw out the game to ensure that they got their first win of the competition. They now get 12 days off before their next group game against Abahani Dhaka.

Here were the main talking points from the game:

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#1 Gregory rings the changes

With Chennaiyin playing their fifth game in a span of 14 days, coach John Gregory made a few changes to his regular starting eleven.

Gregory had hinted at a 'more offensive' setup ahead of the game considering the need for a win. CK Vineeth was dropped to the bench and replaced by Mohammed Rafi in the eleven. Brazilian midfielder Raphael Augusto was left out of the matchday squad altogether, something Gregory explained had to do with workload management and the team attempting to 'look after him a bit'.

Anirudh Thapa got his first start in the AFC Cup and Germanpreet Singh also started to make up the midfield three with Aussie Herd.

The changes, almost to a man, all had an impact on the game.

#2 No goals for Rafi, but puts in an amazing match

Mohammed Rafi was handed his first ever start of the season

Mohammed Rafi was dusted off the shelf and given his first ever start in any competition this season by Gregory with CK Vineeth relegated to the bench.

All six of Rafi's previous appearances this season were as a substitute. In none of those appearances had he seen more than three minutes of action.

So it was quite the surprise to see Gregory go for the veteran striker up front from the opening whistle.

Popularly known as 'the Headmaster' for his heading proficiency, Rafi's feet however made the telling impact in Wednesday's game.

Linking up very well with Jeje Lalpekhlua he helped drag the defence out and open up space for Chennaiyin to work in.

He both stayed up to tackle the aerial balls as well as dropped deep to receive the ball and initiate play through the game in the 64 minutes that he played.

He even had a very good chance in the 23rd minute when a side footed effort was turned away by the Manang keeper. He did provide the assist for Herd's opener.

Gregory was looking for something different in the forward area and he got it tonight from Rafi.

#3 Jerry and Ganesh both make their presence felt

The return to full fitness of left-back Jerry Lalrinzuala and defensive midfielder Dhanapal Ganesh has been a huge boost for Chennaiyin FC.

Both players were first team regulars in Chennaiyin's title run during the 2017/18 Indian Super League season, but missed significant time during the recent season. Ganesh, in fact, missed the entire ISL campaign after surgery to his knee.

But Jerry started at left-back tonight, his first appearance in the AFC Cup. It was clear for all to see what Chennaiyin were missing down that left flank with Jerry's attacking impetus a level up on what Tondonba Singh had been giving them.

He made a number of darting runs behind the defence in that area tonight and was a constant threat.

Ganesh made yet another appearance as a substitute after doing likewise in the Minerva game. Today he came on for Rafi in the 78th minute and did an excellent job of securing the midfield for Chennaiyin.

#4 Thapa makes sure Raphael is not missed

Chennaiyin's midfield maestro Raphael Augusto was rested for this game. He was left out of the matchday squad entirely.

If there were any worries that Chennaiyin would miss some creativity in his absence, those fears were allayed by the display of Anirudh Thapa. The Indian youngster showed his class tonight. While Germanpreet and Herd made sure to press their opponents hard and work hard to get possession back, Thapa created opening aplenty with his passing.

His composure on the ball even allowed Germanpreet to make a few forward runs himself. Thapa's distribution was excellent all night and even after the goals as Chennaiyin looked to control the game it was Thapa who Chennaiyin looked to play through to maintain possession.

He has been overworked this season with national and club commitments; he has played a LOT of football. But he seems to show each time he steps on the pitch why he is so highly rated.

#5 Back to back Man of the Match awards for Chris Herd

Chris Herd picked up the Man of the Match award

Australian Chris Herd picked up his second Man of the Match award in as many AFC Cup matches; he took home the award against Minerva too.

Herd was signed in January by Chennaiyin as they looked to get the Asian foreign player in ahead of the AFC Cup. After taking some time to acclimate himself with the team and the conditions, he's been coming good for them.

Playing in that defensive midfield role while sometimes switching to an auxiliary centre-back role, he has been a key cog in the team's much improved form, helping keep things tight at the back.

He chipped in with the opening goal as well tonight to help break the deadlock and calm the nerves a bit after Chennaiyin had once again not been able to make the most of their chances in the first half.

With Ganesh also back in the fold that area of concern in defensive midfield is started to look less ominous.