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Chennaiyin FC took a huge step towards the Indian Super League final with a 3-0 win over defending champions Atletico de Kolkata at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune on Saturday night. Goals from Bruno Pelissari, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Stiven Mendoza gave the south Indian side an inspiring win in spite of being unable to play on their home ground due to the rains in Chennai.
First Half: Bruno Pelissari’s stunning free-kick gives Chennai the lead
Chennaiyin manager Marco Materazzi started with Harmanjot Khabra at right back in place of the suspended Mehrajuddin Wadoo while Bruno Pelissari took the place of Elano, who was also suspended. Sameehg Doutie and Iain Hume led Kolkata's attack as they looked for that precious goal to take home for the second leg.
Chennaiyin were off to a near-perfect start as Dhanachandra Singh's long throw was not well defended, as the ball fell to Mendoza, whose shot was palmed away by Amrinder Singh. The resulting corner led to a shot straight at the Kolkata stopper from Zakeer Mundampara. Dhanachandra then gave away a free-kick similar to the one he did in the game between the two sides at Kolkata – though replays showed he didn't handle the ball. But this time, Jaime Gavilan's free-kick hit the wall.
Pelissari was next to threaten, as Kolkata gave the ball away to Mendoza who set up the young Brazilian for a shot that went just above the bar. It was developing as a scrappy affair as there was no dearth of challenges in midfield, which ensured that there was no opportunity for either side to build pressure from midfield.
Chennaiyin had claims for a penalty for the ball hitting Tiri on the arm but Thoi Singh's protests were waved away by the referee. There were soon claims of a penalty at the other end as Gavilan's free kick led to a shot from Doutie which Kolkata claimed hit a Chennaiyin arm, but the referee once again remained unmoved.
Chennaiyin then took the lead with a stunning strike from Bruno Pelissari. After Blasi was fouled about 35 yards from goal, the Brazilian decided to go for goal and he justified his decision with a stunning swerving strike that left Amrinder with little chance.
Kolkata's task of coming back was made a little harder as their captain Borja Fernandez had to be replaced due to an injury sustained earlier in the half. He was replaced by big Dejan Lekic, as there was a re-jig in Kolkata's formation, as Hume dropped back to allow the Serbian to play furthest forward.
Another long throw from Dhanachandra caused Kolkata problems, but Mailson Alves put his header clean over the bar. That was the last action of a first half that Chennaiyin would have been pleased with, but knowing that they needed to make their superiority count for more.
Half-time: Chennaiyin FC 1-0 Atletico de Kolkata
Second Half: Jeje and Mendoza heap more misery on Kolkata
Kolkata won a free-kick early in the second half, and Lekic was the obvious target, but it was cleared easily. But the ball came back to the big Serbian who drilled a shot just wide of Edel's post. The game was beginning to get scrappy as both teams struggled to string a few passes together. Chennaiyin had a good chance as Thoi flicked a Khabra pass on for Jeje, but Amrinder read it well to come off his line and clear the ball away.
Chennaiyin did eventually double their lead as Jeje Lalpekhlua got his sixth goal of the tournament. Zakeer played a ball over the top for Mendoza to run on to and the Colombian was unselfish after he beat an onrushing Amrinder and played a square pass to the Indian who slotted the ball into the bottom corner.
Kolkata now had a mountain to climb if they were to take anything back to the Salt Lake Stadium. Instead, it was Chennaiyin who nearly got a third. A clever pass from Thoi set Jeje away, but his cut back was cleared off Mendoza's toes by Ofentse Nato.
Mendoza had another chance, but his shot didn't have enough to beat Amrinder. Taking the shot, the Golden Boot holder seemed to have hurt himself, as the Chennaiyin bench looked concerned. But he was soon up on his feet as Chennai heaved a massive sigh of relief.
And Stiven Mendoza soon added another to his growing goal collection as Chennaiyin took a 3-0 lead to seemingly put one foot in the final. Mailson's hopeful clearance was kept alive by Mendoza before Jeje's flick to the Colombian put him through one-on-one with Amrinder. And, as always, he made no mistake to send the Chennai faithful into delirium.
He could have had another after Pelissari's corner was headed out to him on the edge of the area, but he shot high. Immediately after that, Kolkata nearly pulled one back as Arata Izumi pulled the ball back for Lekic, but he twice shot straight at Bernard Mendy.
Chennaiyin had huge reason for concern when Mendoza was taken off for an injury to be replaced by Fikru Teferra. Pelissari also had to be taken off with some physical discomfort, as Jayesh Rane made his return from an ankle injury.
Chennaiyin could have had a fourth goal, but having beaten the offside trap, Dhanachandra played a poor pass. They were seeing it out comfortably, though, as Kolkata barely caused any issues for the Chennaiyin back four.
In the end, it was a comfortable victory for Materazzi's men, which left Kolkata with everything to do in the second leg at the Salt Lake Stadium.
