Chennai play with graceful dominance, overcome ATK 3-0 in ISL semi-final first leg

CHENNAIYIN FC dominated defending champions Atletico de Kolkata over both halves, almost effortlessly, to secure a 3-0 win over them in the first leg of their ISL semi-final encounter tonight thanks to goals by Bruno, Jeje and Mendoza.

Chennaiyin FC were missing the services of Mehrajuddin Wadoo and Elano Blumer due to both being suspended. So Materazzi replaced them with Pelissari and Mendy, swapping Potenza with Zakeer to keep the 5:6 Indian-foreigner ratio intact.

Atletico de Kolkata, meanwhile, made three changes of their own; bringing back Amrinder, Nato and Augustin into the starting eleven.

There was domination from Chennai to begin with. The Super Machans looked at ease in Pune, their home away from home, as they entered the arena wearing white t-shirts proclaiming '#PLAYFORCHENNAI', and their on-field performance backed up that intent. They kept possession and increasingly sharpened up their movement in the midfield and after a while, chances to score started coming their way.

Dhanachandra ran up the left and Amrinder Singh ran out to stop him. Dhanachandra sent a cross in to Pelissari who let fly from a distance. The ball missed the target by half a foot. 

Then Mendoza tried to make a run straight in but didn't get enough space to take the shot.

When Thoi ran into ATK box the ball hit Tiri's arm and he appealed for a penalty but the referee didn't listen. 

But after a lot of back and forth and a yellow card picked up by Manuele Blasi, salvation came for Chennaiyin FC in the form of a Bruno Pelissari free-kick. The Brazilian had a very narrow opening into the net and he sent the ball straight through that, leaving defenders and the keeper without much of an option.

A further blow to ATK came in the form of an injury to captain Borja Fernandez. The player had to be carried out and Habas was forced to introduce Dejan Lekic in his place.

Then the defending champions had a great chance to get even. A brilliant through ball from Iain Hume reached Sameehg Doutie who sent a cross to newly introduced Lekic who could not get hold of it.

And with that, the match reached half-time. Chennaiyin FC, at this point, were looking very much the team in charge; having the majority of possession, more attacks and of course the one goal cushion. It was on the defending champions to step up to the challenge in the second half; but that did not seem to be the case. 

Early in the second half Chennaiyin FC doubled their lead. Amrinder Singh - who had probably been told to run out and charge at Stiven Mendoza whenever the striker came near the penalty spot - rushed out once again but the striker got past him and passed the ball to Jeje Lalpekhlua, who had an easy time slotting it in. It was 2-0 to Chennaiyin FC and hopes of an ATK turnaround seemed to be evaporating.

Habas made the second substitution; bringing on Baljit Sahni to replace Sameehg Doutie. But Mendoza and Jeje weren't done for the night yet.

After recovering from a knock Mendoza flashed his brilliance once again when Jeje's pass reached him inside the box. Mendoza sent it in and took his goal tally for ISL 2015 to 12. Chennaiyin FC were 3-0 up and the game was in their pocket already, with more than 20 minutes still remaining in the game.

ATK were trying. Hume tried time and again to make moves. Once when he passed to Arata the latter's run got blocked. Lekick, too, was repeatedly falling prey to Mendy. 

Materazzi brought on Fikru Teferra to replace Mendoza. Then Bruno Pelissar made way for Jayesh Rane. Towards the end Eder came on in Jeje's stead. But all these changes were mosty to waste the time. ATK looked like the fight had left them. Chennaiyin FC ended the game with a comfortable 3-0 win.

It was probably the best performance of the year from Chennaiyin FC. The way they dominated and contained Atletico de Kolkata had a sense of ease to it. There weren't too many fouls or scuffles. Chennai keeper Edel wasn't properly tested. It was as if both sets of players knew and whole heartedly accepted who were the better team and deserved the win.

More than the defeat itself, it's the defeated manners of ATK players on the pitch that will worry Habas the most going into the second leg. The defending champions have beaten Chennaiyin FC twice during the regular season and here, on the biggest stage, the players simply failed to turn up. And now they are almost out of the running for a berth in the final; it will take nothing short of an absolute demolition of the opponents on Wednesday for them to re-kindle their title hopes. And looking at the form, understanding and rhythm displayed by Materazzi's boys, it's hard to see that coming.