(Football news) Chennaiyin FC were denied the right to climb up to third place in the Indian Super League table after a 2-2 draw against SC East Bengal at the Tilak Maidan on Wednesday. An injury time equalizer by the Red and Gold Brigade denied three points to Bozidar Bandovic’s team who are now in sixth place with 19 points from 14 matches played. Chennaiyin FC got a two goal lead through Hira Mondal (2’ OG) and Ninthoi (15’) but Darren Sidoel (61’) pulled a goal back and Lalrinliana Hnamte’s (90+1’) late equalizer ensured both the teams shared points.

Chennaiyin FC found a breakthrough in the 2nd minute of the match when Suhail Pasha’s header deflected off Hira Mondal and went into the back of SC East Bengal’s net. To make matters worse for the left back, his individual error led to the second goal in the 15th minute when Ninthoinganba Meetel intercepted the ball on the right flank and his powerful shot went into the top-left corner. Antonio Perosevic had the opportunity to reduce the deficit at the half-hour mark by beating his marker but failed to hit the target. Just before half-time, Marcelo Ribeiro’s header went off-target from close range as the Red and Gold Brigade pushed hard to get back into the game.

The second half began in similar fashion with SC East Bengal’s Mahesh Naorem Singh attempting to score for his side. The relentless effort finally paid dividends through Darren Sidoel who scored from a direct freekick in the 61st minute with a lot of power. With a slender one goal advantage for Chennaiyin FC, both teams played cautiously and set up their tactics to cancel each other's goalscoring attempts. However, SC East Bengal finally managed to find a breakthrough when Lalrinliana Hnamte’s header found the back of the net. The forward was left unmarked and his accurate header in the 90 + 1 minute ensured his side came away with a point. 

Chennaiyin FC will take on reigning champions Mumbai City FC at the PJN Stadium on Sunday, 6th February while SC East Bengal will face Odisha FC on Monday, 7th February at the Tilak Maidan.

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