Durand Cup: Chennaiyin FC close in on quarterfinal berth

Imphal on Thursday. This was Chennaiyin FC’s first win of the tournament. Peter Sliskovic scored a brace while Ghanaian Kwame Karikari and Iranian defender Vafa Hakhamaneshi netted the other goals to complete the rout for CFC on Thursday. Former Croat international Sliskovic opened the account for CFC in the first minute and there was no looking back. CFC now have four points from three games, same as their next opponents NEROCA FC. Chennaiyin have (7-6) a better difference than NEROCA (3-4) and a draw could be enough for them to reach the quarters as the second team from the group after Hyderabad FC, who have nine from three.

Chennaiyin made their intentions clear from the word go as both the forwards Sliskovic and Karikari kept the TRAU defenders on their toes. There was a good combination between midfield and forward-line which helped Thomas Brdaric’s boys maintain massive pressure on TRAU. Rahim Ali and Edwin Sydney Vanspaul were impressive on the wings and provided adequate support to Sliskovic and Karikari. They generated incessant attacks from both the flanks and the second success came in the 18th when Sliscovic was brought down by TRAU goalie Jedidi Haokip inside the box. Karikari converted it from the spot, doubling the lead for Chennaiyin. After conceding the second goal TRAU looked desperate to make a comeback. Their centre-forward Salam Johnson Singh, who made his presence felt in the middle with his speed lost his cool after being booked and vehemently argued with the referee and was sent off for showing dissent in the 36th minute. But TRAU made a quick comeback and got a penalty as Chennaiyin defender Mohammad Sajid handled the ball while clearing it inside the box. TRAU’s Tajik skipper Komron Tursunov