Chennai, December 11: Chennaiyin FC beat Hyderabad FC 1-0 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 tonight to snap a 3 game losing streak.

The match started with Hyderabad FC keeping a major chunk of the ball and attempting to dictate the pace of the proceedings in the first five minutes. However, going against the run of play, Chennaiyin FC player Lukas Brambilla recovered possession near the halfway mark and positioned himself perfectly to deliver a defence-splitting through ball. He had two options, either to go to Wilmar Jordan Gil through the centre, or trust Irfan Yadwad who was operating on the inside left channel. Brambilla opted for the latter route, pulling off a perfectly weighted through ball that met Yadwad few yards away from goal. Yadwad trusted his instincts and unleashed a timely shot that beat the challenge by Soyal Joshy as the ball found its way into the centre of the goal to break the deadlock in the fifth minute.

Hyderabad FC found their grip loosening in the proceedings soon after their strike, but they spearheaded a quick succession of close efforts in the 25th minute mark. Within two minutes, one attempt each by Andrei Alba and Alex Saji ricocheted off the woodwork as the visitors came touchingly close to grabbing the equaliser but were unable to do so. Alba’s right-footed effort from a slightly acute angle inside the 18-yard box was a consequence of a set-piece situation that the Chennaiyin FC backline was unable to clear properly. Just a minute later, as a follow up to a throw-in, Saji found a loose ball at the same spot, but he too, ended up clattering the woodwork.

It was a fairly cagey affair after that, with both teams finding themselves indulged in abundant build-up play in the midfield, but being unable to produce clear cut opportunities upfront. In the 56th minute, Allan Paulista and Cy Goddard blazed into the Chennaiyin FC box as they spotted plenty of open spaces in their backline. Paulista’s effort couldn’t breach past the Marina Machans’ backline and hence Goddard got to the ball, launching a thunderous effort that went way off target. However, a skirmish inside the box resulted in Chennaiyin FC’s Elsinho picking up an injury whilst defending the ball, and he was replaced by Mandar Rao Dessai.

Yadwad had a fantastic chance to bag a brace in the 74th minute, with Wilmar Jordan Gil coming to his help this time around. As the frontline breezed ahead in tandem, Wilmar pretty cleverly laid out a headed pass in Yadwad’s path whilst the Indian attacker was outside the box. Just like he did during his goal, the 23-year-old backed his instinct to go for the shot instead of engaging in further build-up. His effort, however, swerved past the left post without troubling the goalkeeper. There were 10 minutes of added time and though Hyderabad FC tried their best, the score remained intact at 1-0 as the Marina Machans claimed all three points.

Key Performer of the Match

Irfan Yadwad (Chennaiyin FC)

Irfan Yadwad made two clearances and four interceptions, in addition to netting the only strike of the match and completing 12 out of his attempted 23 passes.

What’s next for both teams?

Hyderabad FC will next play against NorthEast United FC on December 23, whereas Chennaiyin FC will be clashing against Mumbai City FC on December 21.

Brief Scores

Chennaiyin FC 1 (Irfan Yadwad 5’) – 0 Hyderabad FC

Stats Pack

Netherlands women dominate and England men pull off comeback shootout win

Lausanne, Switzerland – The Netherlands women picked up their first win of the new Pro League season in dominant fashion over Germany. Frédérique Malta tallied twice, picking up her 100th goal for the Oranje. Ireland nearly pulled off an upset over England in their first Pro League match of the 2024-25 season, but were unable to withstand a fourth quarter surge. England sent the match into shootouts, where they won the extra point.(Women’s) Germany 1 – 6 NetherlandsWith less than 24 hours of rest since falling to Argentina in shootouts, Germany was faced with the task of taking on reigning Pro League champion, the Netherlands. Despite only finding brief moments of possession, Germany kept the Netherlands off the board in the first quarter. Good chances for the Oranje included a backhand shot by Freeke Moes that flew just over the crossover, a Pien Dicke shot saved by Germany’s Nathalie Kubalski and a penalty corner by Jansen that was blocked by the Germany defense. The tension finally broke for the Netherlands a minute and a half into the second quarter when Moes nailed a backhand shot past Kubalski. Down 1-0, Germany began piecing together more bits of possession, to the frustration of the Oranje. It looked like neither team would score as the quarter drew to a close, but in the final seconds Frédérique Malta pulled right around the goalkeeper to increase the Netherlands lead to 2-0. Germany won their first set piece opportunity seven minutes into the second half, and on the subsequently awarded penalty corner, won a video referral for a penalty stroke. In a critical moment, the attempt from Stine Kurz was shut down by Anne Veenendal. The missed opportunity only fueled the fire for the Netherlands, who continued to earn penalty corner chances and saw a goal from Jansen at minute 41. Continuing with a dominant attack in the fourth, the Netherlands earned another set piece chance at minute 49. Despite a less-than-ideal reception at the top, the chance worked out, with Jansen sending the ball to the bottom right corner. Malta then tallied her 100th goal off a penalty stroke attempt the next minute, giving the Netherlands a solid 5-0 lead. In minute 52 Germany found a consolation goal off a penalty corner straight shot by Lisa Nolte. In retaliation, Moes dribbled past the Germany defensive line and nailed a clean reverse shot for their sixth and final goal of the match.    The Netherlands’s Frédérique Malta was named the Player of the Match and said:“I think we have a very new team here today, a very young team, we have four debutants, so I think it’s very nice to just play together again after the Olympic Games of course so to win here with six goals we are very happy. So new team, new year, new Pro League – we are happy to kick off this tournament here today and happy with the win.” (Men’s) England 3 (3) – 3 (2) IrelandAdam Walker – in his senior debut – opened up the scoring for Ireland with a powerful drag flick, off of a penalty corner won in the fourth minute. As the two teams settled in, both sides saw some offensive chances, getting shut down each time. With two minutes remaining in the first, England’s James Mazarelo shut down two shots off an Ireland set piece opportunity. Ireland needed just 35 seconds of the second frame to double their lead. A fast break up the field materialized into a one-time reverse chip into the cage from Jonathan Lynch. The second half of the frame was characterized by England on the attack and James Milliken making clutch saves in net for Ireland. At minute 26, England’s Stuart Rushmere sent a penalty corner flick out wide, and another set piece chance sent in by Sam Ward was snuffed by Milliken. Ireland substituted Luke Roleston in goal to start the third, and he performed up to par with his first half counterpart. England kept up their tempo but continued to be shut down by the Ireland defense, as well as fail to capitalize on their chances – including a beautifully executed pass up to an unmarked Sam Ward which saw no result. Despite all their possession, England trailed 2-0 heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter had no shortage of action. England finally caught their break when a penalty corner was converted by James Albery on the rebound. With 10 minutes remaining an Ireland set piece was blocked on the line by Thomas Sorsby, preventing the goal but conceding a penalty stroke, which was made by Cole Lee. With 7 minutes to score two goals, England pulled their goalkeeper to enjoy an extra field player. The move paid off, as Nicholas Park dribbled baseline and sent the ball center, where Jack Waller guided it into the cage. With zip in their step, England tallied another not one minute later, finished by Zachary Wallace to tie the match 3-3 before the final hooter. Daragh Walsh got the shootouts started for Ireland, making good on his attempt. England’s Albery kept it tied with a reverse shot, then Walker was denied by Mazarelo and Conor Williamson faced the same fate from Roleston. Lynch notched a second for Ireland, but Stuart Rushmere followed up for England, putting the score at 2-2 after three attempts. Everything stayed even after the fourth round when C. Empey and Jack Waller missed for Ireland and England, respectively. The fifth round was the final as Ireland’s A. Empey was shut down and Zach Wallace made it to give England the shootout victory.    England’s James Albery was named the Player of the Match and said: “Really tough game. We definitely didn’t start how we wanted to. We spoke about how many threats they have as a team, and we didn’t get it right at the start by any means but credit to the boys we came out second half and managed to pull ourselves out of the hole, so really pleased with everyone.”Current Hero Top Scorers:Women – Charlotte Englebert (BEL), Vanessa Blockmans (BEL) (3 goals)Men – Tom Boon (BEL) (8 goals)To see the current standings in the FIH Hockey Pro League, click here.FIH Hockey Pro League – 11 December 2024Santiago del Estero Hockey Club, Santiago del Estero (ARG)WOMENResult Match 8 (W): Germany 1 – 6 NetherlandsPlayer of the match: Frédérique Malta (NED)Umpires: Victoria Pazos (PAR), Jonathan Altamirano (MEX), Pauline Cuypers (BEL) (video)MENResult Match 8 (M): England 3 (3) – 3 (2) IrelandPlayer of the match: James Albery (ENG)Umpires: Tyler Klenk (CAN), Benjamin Peters (USA), Sean Rapaport (RSA) (video)