ISL 2018-19: Chennaiyin FC 2-3 ATK - 5 Hits and Flops

The encounter between ATK and Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai was an enthralling one, unlike the one we had seen the night before. Jayesh Rane drew first blood for the visitors after scoring a thunderous screamer from outside the penalty box. Thoi Singh's brilliant grounder through six ATK defenders levelled it up for Chennaiyin.

Manuel Lanzarote made it 2-1 for ATK after converting a penalty, ensuring they had the last laugh heading into the tunnel. He further extended the lead at the 79th minute with the same trick from the bag. Isaac Vanmalsawma did pull one back for the visitors at the 89th minute, but it turned out to be a mere consolation as the final scoreline remained 3-2.

These players changed the complexion of the match dramatically. So, whose presence made all the difference for the two sides? Who had an abysmal game, to say the least?

Without any further ado, here are the hits and flops of the match between Chennaiyin FC and ATK.

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#5 Hit: Jayesh Rane (ATK)

Jayesh Rane drew first blood for ATK [Image: ISL]

Heading into the match, Jayesh Rane hadn't scored a single goal in the 2018-19 ISL season. Little did the fans know that not only would he score his first goal, but also be a contender for the goal of the season.

He could have turned into a provider at the 6th minute when his low cross towards Balwant Singh was parried away by the Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper. However, he didn't have to wait long to give ATK the lead as he himself scored a thunderous screamer eight minutes later.

After that goal, confidence oozed into the former Chennaiyin FC midfielder and, he gave dangerous crosses towards Balwant Singh in the first half. Jerry had a hard time keeping him in check in the right wing.

Jayesh was, relatively, kept quiet by substitute Tondonba Singh in the second half who came on in place of Jerry Lalrinzuala.

#4 Flop: Jerry Lalrinzuala (Chennaiyin FC)

Jerry Lalrinzuala (middle) looks on as Jayesh Rane celebrates his goal [Image: ISL]

Jerry Lalrinzuala started all the games for Chennaiyin FC in the left-back position so far in the 2018-19 Hero Indian Super League. He had kept all the right wingers in check, but his tricks proved to be futile in front of Jayesh Rane today.

Jayesh's intelligent movements made it tough for Jerry to mark him. As a result, he got acres of space down the flank and gave dangerous crosses after scoring the goal. Even at the 6th minute, he was nowhere to be found and his former teammate gave a deadly low through ball in the centre.

As the game neared the half-time whistle, ATK began exploiting their right-wing more and more, with Jerry turned into a mere spectator more than often. He was substituted out by Tondonba Singh in the half-time who brought stability to the Chennaiyin defence.

#3 Hit: Isaac Vanmalsawma (Chennaiyin FC)

Isaac slots the ball past the goalkeeper after a brilliant low cross from Thoi Singh [Image: ISL]

ATK was, deservedly, the better side in the match. However, two players were unlucky to be on the losing side. One of them was Thoi Singh, and the other one was Isaac Vanmalsawma. While the former was the standout player for Chennaiyin FC tonight, the latter's efforts shouldn't be neglected either.

Isaac grew into the second half and nearly provided the equalizer at the 55th minute. The 22-year-old went past Ankit Mukherjee and gave an inch-perfect cross towards Jeje Lalpekhlua. However, the Mizo sniper's header was straight onto the thighs of Arindam and Thoi's rebound was cut out by Ricky.

As the game neared the full-time whistle, his partnership with Thoi Singh grew manifold and it was a matter of only time when one of them would score. Isaac netted the ball in with his first time effort at the 88th minute after connecting with Thoi's inch-perfect low cross.

#2 Flop: Jeje Lalpekhlua (Chennaiyin FC)

Jeje Lalpekhlua is dominated by ATK's John Johnson [Image: ISL]

Heading into the game, Chennaiyin had a strange striking problem. Their three strikers - Mohammad Rafi, Carlos Salom, and Jeje Lalpekhlua - had combined only to score one goal amongst themselves. Many expected Jeje would break his scoring jinx today, but he failed again.

Man-marked by the imposing Andre Bikey, Jeje had barely any space to breathe. Whenever the Chennaiyin midfielders and wingers required him, he was nowhere to be found. His only contribution to the game came at the 55th minute when he connected Isaac's cross.

However, his shot accuracy was so poor that he hit it straight onto the thighs of Arindam despite being in the six-yard box. Even his substitute Carlos Salom couldn't prevent things from going worse as he was outmuscled by the pairing of Andre Bikey and John Johnson.

Jeje needs to find his scoring boots sooner rather than later. Otherwise, India would have to be dependent only on Sunil Chhetri to score goals in the 2019 Asia Cup.

#1 Hit: Thoi Singh (Chennaiyin FC)

Thoi Singh was unlucky to find himself on the losing side [Image: ISL]

Coming back to the second player who was unlucky to be on the losing side of the game, Thoi Singh was a threat down the right wing.

He was the highest goalscorer for Chennaiyin FC with 3 goals to his name. He added one more to the tally by angling it between the ATK defenders and the goalkeeper from his first-time shot. If it weren't for his profligacy, he would have scored a hat-trick given the golden opportunities he had had.

Chennaiyin might have to rely more on the wings to score goals given that there centrally-bound players Jeje, Orlandi, and Carlos Salom isn't performing well. With such a spirited performance like that of today, a national team call-up for Thoi is impending.

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Which other players you think had the most influence in the game? Do let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.