Play-by-Play: Fed Cup runners-up stage a great comeback to beat Chennai City FC 3-2

COULD HAVE BEEN ONE of the fastest goal in Federation Cup. Right wing of Chennai burst forward and sent in a cross to the far post where Edwin was waiting. He knocks it to Charles for a header. Charles’s header is on target but without much power straight at Albino.

Early Yellow card for Celestine in the third minute as he fouled Al Amna while he was on the run.

Soosai Raj wins the ball well in midfield, counter launched, had options but went for goal, got the power not the direction.

Laldanmawia was almost in shock as he was not flagged offside when he received the ball yards in front of goal. He took  a second to think and then shot in a hurry. Did not get any power behind that.

Speedy play by the Chennai right wing and the ball was played in the box. And Charles takes a touch and fires in between two Aizawl players for the goal

Charles was again too quick for the Aizawl defence as he ran past Kingsley and was brought down just outside the box. It was close to being given a penalty. Kingsley went into the book for that foul.

Nandhakumar shoots from 30 yards out but Albino was well placed to see that saved.

Kamo gets the ball from the left side of the box where he was positioned near the 6-yard box. Tried to open his body and side-foot it but could not get it on target

Aizawl who were trailing in possession in the opening minutes had started to dominate the later part of the first part of the first half. The game was being played mostly in the Chennai half and Chennai City too were playing deep.

Debabrata, on the overlap on the left wing sent in a good cross but no team mates were at the end of it.Charles played it to forward into the box to Soosai Raj but lack of support had the ball lost from Chennai City.

Chullova brought down Edwin as he did a quick Cryuff turn in his own half.Charles lead a counter attack as he played it forward to Edwin in a 2v2 attack but a few delayed passes ended the momentum for the side from Tamil Nadu.

Excellent measured through ball to Edwin found him with the just Albino to beat. Albino comes forward and Edwin chips it over to double Chennai’s lead.

The goal has stuttered Aizawl as they increased their speed of play. A tactical change made by Khalid Jamil as he brought on the hero in the last I-League game, William. Into the added minute of the first half, Zakeer made a crucial interception as he cut out a pass meant for Al Amna in the box.

AL Amnah played a long ball to the forward line but it goes straight to Karanjit to pick. Charles sent in a good low ball across the face of goal from the right side but no one for the picking there.

Soosai Raj was in the box on the left side. He was played in box and his side footed effort was not good enough to beat Albino made a great diving save. Immediately, Aizawl launched a counter of their own and had Al Amna scoring for the team from Mizoram.

NandaKumar makes a brilliant run on the right wing, skips past two players but fails to pass to the players waiting in the middle. Aizawl walk away with the ball.

Rane played a floating ball in the box where two of his team mates were waiting. Mawia was there to head it low and powerfully past a stranded Karanjit.              

Almost a second goal for Ladanmawia as Al Amna’s superb long ball is brought down well by Mawia in the box. He had to beat Karanjit who was off his line. Goes for the lofted finish but over hits it.

Superb run by Ladanmawia from midfield to the CCFC box, sends in a low cross in the crowd of players. Hits the leg of a defender and wins a corner.

Nandhakumar and Albino were chasing a ball that was about 30 yards from the Aizawl goal. Albino wins the race and clears. Al Amna heads in a ball after leaping and arching his back but could not get the direction

Aizawl’s Free kick has some venom and Karanjit could not hold on to it punches it instead. Less than ten minutes remaining and Kamo slides in a measured pass in the box to have Laldanmawia to calmly slot it past Karanjit. Chennai looked dejected the body language showed the conviction of getting back in the game was lost. Rane came from behind and went to with a stretched leg as Nandhakumar prepared to swing a half volley in the box.

The second half belonged to Aizawl as they trapped Chennai from all sides to finish them completely