CHENNAI: Chennaiyin FC started their Durand Cup campaign on a high note blowing away Hyderabad FC 3-1 at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati on Thursday. Chennaiyin conceded an early goal but were quick to recover and equalised within two minutes. They added two more to clinch three points and go to the top in Group E.
Both the teams showed great intensity from the beginning and success came immediately for Hyderabad as they were awarded a penalty in the 4th minute. Midfielder Hitesh Sharma was brought down by Jitheshwor Singh inside the box and Hyderabad captain Chinglensana Singh converted the spot-kick easily.
But Chennaiyin, playing their first competitive match of the season under new coach Owen Coyle, were quick to respond. Winger Farukh Chaudhary generated an attack from the left flank and sent a low cross targeting Connor Shields. But the ball got deflected off Alex Saji's leg, leading to a self-goal.
After drawing parity, Chennaiyin put massive pressure on Hyderabad, invading their citadel at regular intervals. CFC's well-organised attacks left Hyderabad defence shaky and Shields, taking full advantage of the situation, scored in the 15th minute. Hyderabad goalkeeper Anuj Kumar's misjudged pass was intercepted by CFC forward Jordan Murray and the Australian passed it on to unmarked Shields across the box and the latter made no mistake to make it 2-1.
Both the teams couldn't score any more goals in the first half, but Chennaiyin created some golden chances. But the likes of Jordan Murray and Shields couldn't find the target.
After taking a comfortable lead in the first half, Coyle's men were in no mood to rein in their attacking style of play as their third goal came immediately after the breather. Ayush Adhikari, who joined Chennaiyin this season, lobbed the ball above the Hyderabad defenders, leaving them completely clueless as Murray made it 3-1 in the 46th minute. Chennaiyin will face Tribhuwan Army next on Monday.
