CHENNAI Mar 01,
It was a mixed day for private teams in the St. Joseph’s-Chennai Football Association senior division league at the Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.
While Chennai City FC blanked AGORC 3-0, Chennai FC lost to Integral Coach Factory 1-0.
City, playing with four I-League players, was all over AGORC and in fact, the victory margin should have been wider.
Early in the first half, a portly Malsawfela, or Fela as he is popularly called, twice had his efforts saved by the ‘keeper Alexander.
Soosai Raj then put City ahead with a fantastic long-ranger; one that gave no chance to Alexander.
AG’s forwards didn’t press hard and were found lacking in the final third. Despite possessing some very fine players from the State, it was a performance that the team management would do well to reflect upon.
The second goal came off a Beautin cross from the left.
Fela dodged a defender and unleashed a stinger; surprisingly none of the full-backs made an effort to stop the striker. The third was City’s best. A cross from Soosai on the left saw Beautin jumping high to thunder home a header. City missed a penalty when ‘keeper Alexander read right the kick taken by Zakeer Mundampara.
Meanwhile Chennai FC, managed by Nigerian coach Tope Fuja, wouldn’t have expected ICF to play so well and in fact dominate in phases.
Both teams played attacking football, but full credit to their ‘keepers; Rajsekhar Bhawmick (Chennai) and Agastin (ICF) who came with some outstanding saves.
