They arrived early in Guwahati to beat the inclement weather at home that had deemed even training impossible. But on Thursday, Chennaiyin FC made sure of bringing the fans at home the gift of the second win of the season, despite another late fightback from NorthEast United FC.
In the end, the Highlanders supporters could not witness an encore of their point-yielding late show of the last two games as 10-man Chennaiyin held their fort and snatched away a 3-2 Indian Super League win at Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.
Former NEUFC recruit Wilmar Jordan Gill (25’, 51’) made an impressive comeback into Owen Coyle’s starting XI this season with a crucial brace from set-pieces on either side of Lucas Brambilla’s (36’) goal from the spot despite NEUFC making a dream start with a 5th-minute opener by Nestor Albiach.
Juan Pedro Benali’s men also came hard at the visitors in quest for at least a point after Laldinliana Renthlei was sent off the field for a second yellow card in the 83rd minute.
Their wonder recruit Alaeddine Ajaraie was once again on the scoresheet – becoming only the second player after Chennaiyin’s former star striker Elano Blumer to score in all his first five games in ISL – when he put the ball in the opposition net from a confident penalty kick.
However, Ajaraie, who was brilliant throughout the game but also missed a couple of sitters, was not able to add further to the score thereafter as Chennaiyin strived to maintain the one-goal lead to take away all three points on offer.
The victory took Coyle’s side to the fifth spot with seven points from four matches – a jump of three spots on the ISL table. It also sent NEUFC down three places to the ninth position, with just four points from the five matches they have played so far.
