“We made a defensive error and it cost us a goal. It was the first match of the day and the players couldn’t perform their best because of the heat and humidity. There are usually three water breaks in international matches in such cases. But, it is not the same here,” said Viva coach CM Ranjith.  

In the evening game, Hindustan made short work of Chennai FC, registering a 4-1 win. It opened the scoring in the 19th minute through Shine John who put the ball into the back after a series of smooth short passes. 

Chennai FC equalised five minutes later courtesy a neatly-taken free-kick from Dyott Emmanuelim. What seemed to be a tightly-contested match turned out to be a one-sided affair in just a matter of three minutes as Hindustan struck twice during that period. It was Cletus Paul who stole the show for the rest of the game. He first gave the lead for the Eagles by converting a corner and then slotting the ball home later after Chennai FC’s goalkeeper charged out of his area. 

Despite going into the second half with a two-goal advantage, the Eagles kept on piling the pressure in the final third. He completed his hat-trick towards the dying stages of the game, ensuring Hindustan took home three valuable points.