Hosts Minerva go down to Chennai FC

LUDHIANA:Chennai City FC scored a goal late in each half to blank hosts Minerva Punjab 20 in the 15thround match of the ILeague at Guru Nanak Stadium here today

Updated At : 07:58 AM Apr 09, 2017 IST

Michael Soorairaj and Charles De Souza scored a goal each in the win of Chennai FC against hosts Minerva FC in Ludhiana. Inderjeet Verma

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 8

Chennai City FC scored a goal late in each half to blank hosts Minerva Punjab 2-0 in the 15th-round match of the I-League at Guru Nanak Stadium here today.

In the initial moments, the Chandigarh-based Minerva succeeded in keeping their rivals at bay as Chennai made

frantic forays into the hosts’ territory.

Chennai, however, kept up the pressure and finally got the breakthrough with just four minutes to go for halftime. Micheal Soorairaj put his side ahead with a sizzling grounder after a fast counterattack.

After changing ends, Minerva Punjab tried hard to restore parity but they failed to capitalise on the opportunities that came their way. On the other hand, Chennai went all out to increase the lead, but they too missed a couple of scoring chances.

Chennai finally got the goal in injury time when Charles DeSouza found the target.

The victory gave Chennai City FC a chance to qualify for the upcoming Federation Cup, whereas Minerva Punjab are facing a relegation battle.

The win sees Chennai go to seventh on the table while Minerva still languish second from the bottom with two points more than Mumbai FC.

The side will play next home match on March 15 against Mohun Bagan at 7.30pm. Bagan, to are second on the points table, will play East Bengal on Sunday at Siliguri (West Bengal).

Shivajians go down to Shillong in a 5-goal thriller

Pune: DSK Shivajians go down to Shillong Lajong courtesy a goal scored with the last kick of the game. Isaac Vanmalsawma opened the scoring for Lajong in the 13th minute, while Samuel Lalmuanpuia doubled their lead in the 52nd minute. Ongnam Milan Singh pulled one back for the hosts on the 57th minute, while Pranjal Bhumij levelled the score on the 63rd minute. Redeem Tlang scored the decider on the 93rd minute, breaking DSK Shivajians hearts.

“Once again, we’ve dominated the match from start to finish and conceded poor, sloppy goals. Individual mistakes have cost us points that could have moved us up the table. I can’t fault my players’ effort, I can’t fault their attitude, and I’m proud of them,” said Dave Rogers, DSK Shivajians manager.

In another match, Mumbai FC and Churchill Brothers FC played out a goalless draw to earn one point in Mumbai.