In a thrilling encounter at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Chennaiyin FC battled back to secure a 1-1 draw against Punjab FC in their first Group C match of the Kalinga Super Cup 2024. The match, held on a Thursday, witnessed Jordan Murray’s late heroics as he capitalized on a perfect cross from Connor Shields in the 81st minute to level the scores.
The contest kicked off with an early setback for Chennaiyin as Wilmar Jordan of Punjab FC found the back of the net in the fourth minute. Madih Talal provided a fine pass from the right side of the post, setting the stage for an intense clash between the two sides. Despite the early blow, Chennaiyin displayed resilience and had their chances, notably when Shields delivered an exquisite through ball to Murray in the 11th minute. However, Punjab’s goalkeeper Kiran denied Murray’s effort to keep his team in the lead.
As the first half progressed, Akash Sangwan tried to level the scores with an attempt from inside the box in the 33rd minute. Punjab’s defenders, however, successfully cleared the ball for a corner, maintaining their slender lead. Just before halftime, Punjab FC suffered a setback when midfielder Amarjit Singh Kiyam received a red card for a foul on Ninthoinganba Meetei, forcing Chennaiyin’s head coach Owen Coyle to make strategic changes.
Coyle introduced Rahim Ali for Meetei and Vincy Barretto for Farukh Choudhary, aiming to capitalize on the numerical advantage in the second half. Chennaiyin FC started the second half with high intensity, launching quick attacks to exploit their one-man advantage. However, Punjab’s defense stood firm, with Kiran making crucial saves to maintain their lead.
In the 69th minute, Chennaiyin FC faced a setback of their own as Rafael Crivellaro received a red card, reducing them to 10 men on the field. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Chennaiyin continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off in the 81st minute. Connor Shields, operating on the right flank, delivered a perfect cross to Jordan Murray, who scored with a well-placed header, equalizing for Chennaiyin.
The drama didn’t end there, as Shields had a chance in the 84th minute but couldn’t beat the goalkeeper. Chennaiyin’s goalkeeper Samik Mitra made a crucial save in added time, denying Abhishek Singh’s attempt to secure the draw. The hard-fought match showcased the resilience and determination of both teams, setting the stage for an exciting group stage in the Kalinga Super Cup 2024.
Looking ahead, the Marina Machans are scheduled to face Gokulam Kerala FC on January 16, followed by a clash against Mumbai City FC in their last Group C match on January 21. As the tournament unfolds, football enthusiasts can anticipate more thrilling moments and intense battles on the field from these top-quality teams.
Chennaiyin FC Starting XI
Samik, Edwards (C), Cirkovic, Battocchio, Mujherjee, Ninthoi, Shields, Murray, Sangwan, Crivellaro, Farukh
Punjab FC Starting XI
Kiran C, Abhishek, Nikhil P, Charziisaias, Ricky, Madin T., Jordan, Nitesh, Suresh M., Amarjit, Majcen (C)
