Birthday boy Robin Singh's brace sends Chennai City out of contention for the Fed Cup semis
CHENNAI CITY FC IN THEIR DEBUT season had to bow out of the Federation Cup as they were shattered by the two goals from Robin Singh. A consective loss meant they were out of the contention for the semi final.
The first half began with Wedson playing long into the box as Karanjit was quick spot the danger and collected. Nandhakumar made a run to get past defender but was muscled out too easily. Robin picked up a loose ball deep in Chennai half and laid it for Plaza. He shoots but was quickly blocked outside the box.
Karanjit missed his punch for a cross coiming in from the right and Chennai were unable to clear as Jairu headed into an open goal but a defender was right at the goal line and cleared. Again the danger was not cleared, East Bengal take a shot and this time Chennai were able to clear.
Robin with a shot, half volley, on the bounce from about 20-25 yards out. Karanjit is up to the task and makes a great palm save to deny Robin.
Plaza turns and shifts the ball between both legs and enters the box and shoots from an acute angle on the left side of the box. Abhishek with an excellent block.
Zakeer and Mehtab involved on spat as both fight to win a 50-50 ball and Mehtab got a piece of Zakeer's leg. Both players exchange heated words and referee rushed to the spot and flashes a yellow to Mehtab. Robin runs into Ravanan and knocks the Chennai City captain to the ground. No card shown.
Mehtab brings down a CCFC player on the run from behind but the referee thinks it is not worthy of a second yellow. Soosai needed treatment and was being stretchered off. Soosai Raj twisted his ankle and was replaced by Lalnunmawia. A lot of fouls by both teams interrupted the flow of the game and the pace had also died down toward the end of the first half.
All of a sudden there was mistake committed by Ravanan near his box when he missed to clear the ball with Plaza standing yards away from him. Plaza snatched the ball from Ravanan and Karanjit was quick to close him down. The rebound fell to Robin Singh who had just the empty net to place the ball into for the opening goal.
The goal has given life to the East Bengal team. Plaza made a great 40-45 yards run from the half line to the CCFC box. His shot was blocked by Karanjit and the ball landed at the striker's feet, yards from goal but little to the left. He swung his leg, could not connect the ball well and missed to score.
Second half began with 'Mawia went in from the left side of the box and gets a week shot away into the hands of Subhasish, he spills the ball and concedes a corner. Zakeer with a free kick 7 to 10 yards from box. Gets it over the wall, dips and hits the upright.
Second half saw Chennai City begin well with multiple penetrations in the box and some good chances inside the box. A great run down the right by Nandhkumar saw him send in a great low ball in the middle of the box had Mawia in space. The ball came in rolling and he side-footed the ball but missed the goal by not much.
Plaza's powerful shot in the 62nd minute was saved by a single-handed save by Karanjit. Plaza involved in another attack had skipped past players to reach the right side of the box. His cross found Robin and the header from him was on target and Karanjit was equal to it, kept it out.
Long ball in the box was handled by Ravanan and he gave away a penalty and earned a yellow in process. Robin stepped up to take and calmly slots it past Karanjit's right.
Rafique the substitue, from the right tries to cross in from the right of the inside of the box and ends hitting the side netting. Bukenya sustained an injury just above the eye as he needed to be bandaged but even after coming back fixed could not continue and went out again. The brace by Robin Singh was enough to send the team from Tamil Nadu out of the Federaration Cup with only pride to play for in the last league game remaining.
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