ISL 2018-19: Chennaiyin FC vs Bengaluru FC – 5 talking points as Jeje ends ISL goal-drought to stun table toppers

Chennaiyin FC pulled off a major upset in the Indian Super League by defeating table-toppers Bengaluru FC on Saturday. The defending champions won 2-1 to register their first home win at the Marina Arena in Chennai.

It was only the second win of this season for Chennaiyin, who remained at the bottom eight points from 15 matches. Bengaluru, who too retained their top spot, suffered their second loss of the season.

Jeje Lalpekhlua ended his ISL goal-drought with a superb strike in the 32nd minute and Gregory Nelson put the home side in a commanding position with a perfect header in the 45th minute.

Bengaluru tried their best to come back and Sunil Chhetri pulled one back in the 57th minute but their aim to collect at least a single point remained elusive.

Let us look at the talking points of the match:

Also see: ISL SCHEDULE I ISL POINT TABLE I ISL RESULTS

#5 Jeje scores his first goal in this ISL

There were more brickbats than bouquets for Jeje Lalpekhlua in recent times. So many negative comments have been passed on him. But Jeje Lakhpekhlua showed his mettle on the big stage once again and proved that criticism made him stronger. The goal was an answer to all those who doubted his ability and talent.

Raphael Augusto initiated the attack from the field and passed the ball to CK Vineeth, who was standing in a more favourable position. Vineeth, however, failed to control the pass but he did find Jeje behind Nishu Kumar. Nishu failed to clear the forward pass which was received by the Mizo Sniper. Jeje lashed a powerful shot towards the goal, which only touched a finger of Gurpreet’s stretched hand before going into the net.

This was the first goal he has scored in this season. Although it was too late for his team to retain their title, Jeje should come out with much more confidence when he takes the field in the remaining two matches.

It was a long-awaited goal that finally came after nearly a year – 330 days to be precise. The last time he found the net in the ISL was in the last edition, when he scored a brace against FC Goa in the semi-final.

His goal-drought worried former national team coach Stephen Constantine before he announced the squad for the Asian Cup last month. Jeje though scored in the opening match against Thailand and played the remaining two matches too.

But his drought in the ISL meant the team struggled in the most of the matches. However, Jeje can finally hold his head high as his goal came for a winning cause.

#4 Chhetri shines amid average performance from Bengaluru

Chhetri celebrates with Miku after the goal

Irrespective of the colour of jersey that he wears, Sunil Chhetri always takes the field with one word in mind – win. He gives his best in every match and tries to make an impact. He did the same on Saturday, but his brilliant goal went in vain.

Chhetri too had a long goal drought of seven matches before the international break. He has an excellent understanding with Miku and as the Venezuelan striker was missing the game owing to injury, Chhetri too failed to find the back of the net.

But now he has scored two goals in two matches. Against Kerala Blasters in the previous match, he scored at the 85th minute to salvage a draw for his side. He found himself in a similar situation against Chennaiyin and he responded by scoring the first goal, but couldn’t find the equaliser.

What a goal that was! Xisco Hernandez whipped in a cross into the Chennaiyin box and Chhetri, out of nowhere, sprinted ahead of the others to head the ball before Karanjit Singh could get a hand on it.

It was a kind of goal that only a man like Chhetri could score. He times it perfectly, avoided the off-side trap to meet the delivery.

#3 Nelson, Agusto outplay opponent in midfield

One of the strengths of this Bengaluru team is their domination in the midfield. Having players like Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu, Xisco Hernandez and Udanta Singh, they are expected to take control from the very first minute.

However, they were surprisingly outplayed in this position by Chennaiyin FC. Paartalu had a very poor outing and failed to make an impact in the game. Xisco too didn’t have much to offer.

Raphael Augusto and Gregory Nelson, the men behind Chennaiyin’s triumph last year, produced their best display on the field this season to take the game out of BFC’s hands. They controlled the tempo of the game, kept the ball, made some scintillating forward passes.

Augusto, who was declared the man of the match, should deserve the maximum credit. He took set-pieces and dominated in the 18-yard box. Augusto was a delight to watch on the night.

#2 Udanta’s absence hurt the visitors

Bengaluru fielded a team against Chennaiyin which had no Udanta Singh on the list. It was not clear whether he had received a knock or Carles Cuadrat decided to give him a much-needed rest day. Whatever may be the reason, Bengaluru missed the service of the Manipuri youngster so much.

Udanta is currently the best right winger that the country has. He often produces the same magic for Bengaluru FC whenever they take on a tough opponent. But his absence meant there was little support from the right flank.

Bengaluru have scored 35 percent of their goals this season from crosses. Two of them came from Udanta’s feet. Miku and Chhetri have scored so many times after receiving pin-point crosses from the Manipuri. But there was no one who could run down the flank during a counter and provide countless crosses into the box this time.

Xisco tried his best to replace Udanta’s trickery but his performance was nowhere what the Manipuri offers.

#1 It’s too late for Chennaiyin

Chennaiyin FC have so far witnessed a torrid season this time. Without almost the same members in their team and the same coach, the defending champion’s performance was worst, to say the least.

To put the fact in numbers, this was only the second win for them this season. The first one came almost three months in an away match against FC Pune City when they won 4-2. In fact, this was their first win at home.

But it is too late for Chennaiyin. The win might give them a major boost for the remaining matches, but they were ruled out of the top-four contention much before.

There were some positives for them in the match. Chennaiyin, for the first time this season, were looking like the same team that won the title last year. Their ferocious counter-attacks, domination in the midfield, courageous defence took us back to their good old days.

Edited by Kishan Prasad