(Football news) The clash between Chennaiyin FC and SC East Bengal was a match of missed opportunities as they shared the spoils from a goalless draw at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Friday in the Indian Super League. The result means that Chennaiyin FC are on top of the table with 7 points while SC East Bengal are currently placed 9th after suffering back-to-back defeats in the previous matches.
Since their defeat against Odisha FC, SC East Bengal made a few changes to their starting XI with Daniel China Chukwu and Amarjit Singh Kiyam being handed their first starts. SC East Bengal goalkeeper Suvam Sen who replaced the injured Arindam Bhattacharya kept his side in the game, saving a shot by Mirlan Murzaev from point blank range as well as Lallianzuala Chhangte’s effort.
The majority of the match was dominated by Chennaiyin FC and they could have been ahead in the 25th minute when Amir Dervisevic almost scored an own goal in an attempt to intercept Chhangte’s low cross but luckily for the Slovenian, the ball brushed the side-netting. Despite both the teams having a few half-chances, they failed to break the deadlock. SC East Bengal looked defensively frail, despite the introduction of seasoned players such as Adil Khan and Raju Gaikwad.
Five minutes into the second half, Suvam Sen punched an incoming cross from Komal but Chhangte took a shot from the loose ball which was subsequently blocked. Chennaiyin FC showed some glimpses of their form that has led them to the top of the table when captain Thapa found Jerry on the through but the full back squandered the opportunity. Polish international Ariel Borysiuk also had a shot after a one-two by Koman and Chhangte but the attempt was blocked by Tomislav Mrcela.
SC East Bengal had a few opportunities of their own as Nigerian footballer Daniel Chima Chukwu took a weak shot on target and Raju headed a corner from Dervisevic, only for it to find the keeper’s gloves. The team’s final chance came with back-to-back spot kicks in the final minute but they proved to be wasteful, a perfect way to summarise an evening of squandered opportunities for both the teams.
