ISL 2017, Match 22: Mumbai City FC vs Chennaiyin FC, 5 Talking Points

#3 Wasteful Chennaiyin pay the price

Chennaiyi FC wasted a number of chances. (Photo: ISL)

As mentioned earlier, despite all the changes made by Gregory, Chennaiyin managed to edge this game for long periods and would be kicking themselves for not having been ahead before Mumbai scored.

Rafi had two glorious chances in the first half, with his head no less, an area where he excels. On the 29th minute, Nworuh from the left played a juicy curling cross into the box for Rafi and the forward looked like he was definitely going to score. But he literally missed it by a hair's breadth; any sort of contact on that and it was a goal. Rafi had another chance a little later from a corner-kick after Mailson had got the knock-on. He made horrible contact though and it turned out into more of a defensive header than an attacking one towards goal.

The start of the second half saw Chennaiyin's best chance yet. Rene Mihelic played Rafi through on goal with just the keeper to beat with a beautiful through ball. Rafi's shot though was palmed away by Amrinder Singh, but the ball fell to an onrushing Thoi Singh who was left with an open goal to tap the ball into. How he missed from point-blank range is anyone's guess?

Those chances had they been put away could have easily seen this match go a different way and seen them come away with wins from both the Maharashtra sides.