Chennaiyin goes down to Odisha

With the victory, Josep Gombau-managed Odisha has 15 points after 11 games, one less than fourth-placed Mumbai City FC. Chennaiyin remains in the penultimate spot on the table with nine points from 10 fixtures. Owen Coyle’s CFC next meets bottom club Hyderabad FC in Hyderabad on January 10.

Jerry Mawihmingthanga (37’) and Vinit Rai (41’) struck first half goals as Odisha notched up its second successive victory in front of its home fans. Chennaiyin, which almost pulled off a fantastic comeback against FC Goa in its previous encounter, couldn’t find a way back this time around against a well-drilled defence.

After a quiet opening quarter of the game, OFC put the ball into the back of the net via Marcos Tebar off a Xisco Hernandez corner. But the strike was controversially ruled out by referee Raktim Saha, who felt there was a foul on a CFC player inside the 18-yard-box. In the 24th minute, Chennaiyin had a great opportunity to open the scoring.

The away side was awarded a penalty for an unfair challenge by Shubham Sarangi on Nerijus Valskis, who blew the spot-kick over the bar. Two minutes later, opposite Number 9 Aridane Santana missed an easy chance but made amends by turning provider for the first goal.

In the 37th minute, the Spaniard delivered a cross from the right, which CFC goalkeeper Vishal Kaith failed to clear. Winger Jerry, at the far post, pounced on the ball and tapped it home. Odisha doubled its cushion four minutes from the end of the first half. Tebar put the ball into the path of Vinit, who came up with a thunderbolt from outside the box.

Trailing by two goals at the start of the second period, the touring team did create a few chances but couldn’t find the net. CFC manager Coyle made three alterations to the line-up that lost a close battle against Goa. Centre-back Eli Sabia returned from suspension, replacing versatile Afghan Masih Saighani.

Laldinliana Renthlei slotted in at right-back as regular starter Edwin Sydney Vanspaul was out of the duel following a booking in the previous contest. Jerry Lalrinzuala also came in at the other full-back position for Tondonba Singh.