Chennai: Chennaiyin FC were held to a 2-2 draw by FC Goa as Chennaiyin’s winless home run continues in the 2024-25 edition of the ISL, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, on Thursday.
Wilmar Jordan Gil gave Chennai the lead but the lead was overturned thanks to a header from Udanta Singh Kumam and a penalty from Armando Sadiku in the 51st minute of the match.
Substitute Daniel Chima Chukwu equalized for the blues in the 79th minute and in injury time, thought he won it for the Marina Machans but thanks to a stunning save from Goa’s goalkeeper Laxmikanth Kattimani, the score remained 2-2.
The best news for Chennaiyin was the extension of head coach Owen Coyle until 2026, which the club announced during the halftime break.
#5 Wilmar Jordan Gil can do no wrong
After getting himself a brace in the previous game against NorthEast United, in what was his first start for Chennaiyin this season, Wilmar Jordan Gil cemented his spot in the starting goal with yet another goal.
Fortune seems to be favoring the Colombian international at the moment, as the ball deflected into the net from his leg, but credits to the striker for putting himself in the right place at the right time.
Apart from the goal, his overall game of holding play, linking with the wingers has been very good and it looks like in Gil, Owen Coyle might have found a reliable no.9.
#4 Soft goals and penalties, CFC’s Achilles heel
Owen Coyle repeatedly stressed the importance of not conceding soft goals. Still, it seems to be a recurrent theme, with the Marina Machans conceding yet another soft goal for the equalizer.
With the corner played in, Udanta’s seemingly harmless header looped into the goal, with everyone in Chennai’s defense and keeper Samik Mitra ball-watching.
Added to that, yet another penalty was conceded by Chennaiyin in the second half, which was converted by Armando Sadiku, the top scorer of this year’s ISL.
#3 Controversial equalizer from Chima
Trailing 1-2 and heading to a second straight home defeat of this season, substitute striker Daniel Chima Chukwu gave CFC a lifeline with an equalizer from a Connor Shields freekick.
The freekick was headed goalwards by Chima and the goalkeeper had gotten his hand to the ball but the on-field referee adjudged it to have crossed the line and gave it a goal.
But, looking at the replay, it looked as though the ball did not cross the line and the goalkeeper had kept it from crossing the line.
While it was difficult to ascertain in real-time, and with the absence of VAR or goal-line technology in ISL, there is no way to verify it for certain, and head coach Manolo Marquez reflected the same sentiment in the post-match press conference.
“From where I stood, it was impossible to see. But Kattimani was very sure of the ball not crossing the line and appealed to the referee. Was a very difficult call to make but it is football, things like this happen,” he said.
#2 Owen Coyle extends until 2026
Chennaiyin FC had a surprise announcement at halftime, and the whole stadium erupted in unison as a banner was unveiled showcasing the extension of head coach Owen Coyle until 2026.
After a successful first stint, where Coyle guided the team to an ISL Final appearance in the 2019-20 season, he came back in 2023 and took Chennaiyin to a playoff spot.
“Delighted to extend my stay at Chennaiyin FC. The unwavering support from the fans, the dedication of the players, and the commitment from everyone at the club make this a truly special place to work. I sincerely thank the owners for their trust, and together, we will continue to build on this journey,” Coyle said, speaking about his extension.
It is a clear sign that the CFC management trusts Coyle to bring back Chennaiyin’s glory days.
#1 What next for the two teams?
Chennaiyin FC will be on the road and will face high-flying Punjab FC in their next match on October 31. FC Goa will be at home for their next game against table-toppers Bengaluru FC.