Chennaiyin FC's Playoff Hopes Dashed in 3-0 Loss to NorthEast United in ISL 2024-25
Despite a spirited second-half performance, Chennaiyin FC succumb to a heavy defeat at home in their penultimate league match ahead of a crucial finale against Jamshedpur FC.
BNH NETWORK
Chennai - Chennaiyin FC's playoff aspirations took a major blow as they were handed a 3-0 defeat by NorthEast United in their penultimate match of the Indian Super League 2024-25 season on Monday at home. The Marina Machans, despite showing improvement after halftime, struggled to find their rhythm and were overwhelmed by a clinical NorthEast United side.
Head Coach Owen Coyle made a few tactical changes ahead of the match, with Ankit Mukherjee replacing Elsinho at right-back and Pritam Kotal moving to center-back. Vincy Barretto also came in for Farukh Choudhary on the wing. However, the changes couldn’t stop the early onslaught from NorthEast United.
The match began with high intensity, and just moments after Mohammad Nawaz made an excellent one-on-one save against Jithin MS, Nestor Albiach put the visitors ahead with a powerful shot from distance. Chennaiyin quickly responded, with Connor Shields and Wilmar Jordan Gil testing goalkeeper Gurmeet Singh, but their efforts went in vain.
In the 26th minute, Jithin MS doubled NorthEast United’s lead, and by the 38th minute, Alaaeddine Ajaraie added a third after a strong block from Ryan Edwards was followed by a rebound goal. Despite Chennaiyin's attempts, including a near-post shot from Vincy Barretto and a header from Edwards, the Marina Machans couldn't break down the visitors’ defense.
The second half saw changes from Coyle, with Lukas Brambilla, Jitendra Singh, and PC Laldinpuia all coming on. Brambilla nearly found the back of the net, but his curling shot was saved by Gurmeet. As the match progressed, Shields also tested the goalkeeper from a tight angle. Despite these efforts, the hosts couldn't find a breakthrough, and in the 64th minute, Nawaz denied Ajaraie another goal with a crucial save.
In the dying moments of the match, Jordan Gil had the ball in the net, but his effort was ruled offside. To add to Chennaiyin's woes, Ryan Edwards received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving his side to finish the match with ten men. Maheson Singh, who joined the club in the winter, made his debut in stoppage time but couldn't help spark a comeback.
With their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs now fading, Chennaiyin FC will look to salvage their season in their final match of the regular ISL season, where they will face Jamshedpur FC at home on Sunday, March 9, 2025.
Key Takeaways:
- Chennaiyin FC suffer a 3-0 loss to NorthEast United in their penultimate league match.
- Owen Coyle's side struggled to overcome an early deficit despite a strong second-half showing.
- Ryan Edwards's red card and Jordan Gil's disallowed goal sealed the defeat for the Marina Machans.
- Chennaiyin will look to bounce back in their final match against Jamshedpur FC.
