Imphal: Former Indian Super League champions Chennaiyin FC failed to get past the army red and dropped the points after an emphatic 2-2 draw in the Durand Cup in Imphal on Saturday.
The Group C fixture turned on its head after a barren first 45 minutes as the Reds took the lead through Lethaolen Khongsai (54?) which was neutralized by Julius Docker a minute before regulation time.
Chennaiyin FC fielded eight new players in their starting line-up — Ajith Kumar, Falu Diagne, Akash Sangwan, Dokar, Sajal Baig, Jiteshwar Song, Jokesan Das, and Peter Silskovich — while captain Anirudh Thapa, goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar. And there was Narayana Das. old face
After a slow start, Thomas Burdarch’s men eased into the game and dominated proceedings for much of it. Croatian forward Silskovic was played in by Jiteshwar but his shot went over the crossbar.
Thapa then lunged for a lunge on the brink of half-time but the Army Red defender showed good reflexes to deny the two-time ISL champions as both sides failed to break the deadlock at half-time. .
Army Red broke the deadlock 10 minutes after the change of ends through El Khongsai’s header from a corner. Trailing by a goal, Chennaiyin FC switched gears to find a much-needed equalizer in the last quarter of the game.
