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Chennaiyin FC secured a slender 1-0 victory over Hyderabad FC to open their points tally in the 2023-24 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign on Monday, October 23.
Owen Coyle made several changes to his starting lineup, which included a change in formation, as Chennaiyin FC adopted a 5-3-2 setup.
They started on the front foot and their efforts paid dividends, as they opened the scoring in the seventh minute. Following a quick counter-attack, Ankit Mukherjee’s delivery found Connor Shields inside the six-yard box, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
The home team quickly recovered from the setback and created a few excellent chances to try and level the proceedings.
However, Chennaiyin FC stayed solid at the back, with Debjit Majumder making a few crucial saves. As the halftime whistle blew, Hyderabad had dominated possession, but it was the Marina Machans who held the lead.
The second half unfolded much like the first, with Hyderabad FC maintaining possession but struggling to generate clear-cut opportunities. As the match entered its final quarter, the Nizams pushed for an equalizer, leaving gaps in their defense that Chennaiyin exploited on the counter-attack.
Although the visitors missed a couple of presentable chances, they defended resolutely to secure a vital victory. This win propelled Owen Coyle’s team to 10th in the league standings, while Hyderabad FC now find themselves at the bottom of the table without any points to their name.
On that note, let’s take a look at how the Chennaiyin FC players fared against Hyderabad FC.
Chennaiyin FC Player Ratings
Debjit Majumder [8/10]
After a shaky start, Debjit made a vital save in the first half, denying Petteri Pennanen’s close-range shot. Despite a quieter second half, Debjit remained calm and composed when handling crosses.
Ankit Mukherjee [8/10]
Mukherjee was given a hybrid role, as he constantly shifted between playing as a right-back and as a winger. He started the game impressively by setting up Conor Shields with an assist, while his defending was solid when needed.
Bikash Yumnam [8/10]
Bikash’s performance was largely solid, and he did well to clear out the danger from the penalty box on several occasions.
Ryan Edwards [9/10]
Chennaiyin FC needed a leader at the back and Ryan Edwards certainly stepped up. Positioned in the middle of the back five and later in a back four, his ability to read the game was on display and he effectively guided the defensive line as well.
Lazar Cirkovic [7/10]
Cirkovic was beaten for pace a couple of times, but he was effective in terms of closing down his marker and was a dependable presence within the penalty area.
Aakash Sangwan [6/10]
Sangwan frequently found himself out of position and received an early booking in the match. He narrowly avoided a second yellow card, but as the game unfolded, he improved his contributions both in attack and defense.
Ayush Adhikari [8/10]
Adhikari put in a tireless display against Hyderabad FC. His positioning in midfield was excellent, as he covered the central areas and the right flank when Mukherjee pushed forward. Overall, a decent outing for the youngster.
Jiteshwor Singh [6/10]
At times, Jiteshwor’s aggression did not help Chennaiyin FC, but he was a colossal presence in midfield and covered a lot of ground. He was eventually replaced around the hour mark.
Rafael Crivellaro [7/10]
Crivellaro was given a free role and while he wasn’t at his fluid best, he posed problems when Chennaiyin FC looked to hit Hyderabad FC on the break.
Connor Shields [9/10]
Shields’ dynamism was crucial for Chennaiyin FC, as he served as the key target when they initiated counter-attacks. His exceptional movement inside the penalty area resulted in his first ISL goal, while his pace and tireless work ethic posed significant challenges for Hyderabad FC’s center-backs.
Rahim Ali [7/10]
Rahim was largely an anonymous presence in attack for Chennaiyin FC, but he showcased his defensive commitment by consistently tracking back to support his defense.
Substitutes
Cristian Battocchio [8/10]
Battochio brought much-needed composure to the midfield, which was essential for Chennaiyin to maintain possession and protect their lead, ultimately ensuring their victory.
Farukh Chaudhary [7.5/10]
Chaudhary made a significant impact on the left flank when he came in. His ability to retain the ball and take on defenders proved crucial towards the end of the game.
Jordan Murray [8/10]
Murray injected pace into the forward line and posed a real threat to the fatigued HFC defenders. He came close to scoring when he wriggled past three players, only for his shot to be cleared off the line by Nikhil Poojary.
Vincy Barretto [N/A]
Too late to make an impact.
Irfan Yadwad [N/A]
Too late to make an impact.
