Chennaiyin FC coach Bozidar Bandovic made a few changes upfront for their match against Odisha FC on Saturday. His moves paid dividends as the two-time ISL champions bounced back from their loss in their last match to defeat Odisha FC 2-1 at the Tilak Maidan Stadium in Vasco.
Germanpreet Singh scored in the first half and Mirlan Murzaev hit the target in the second with a stunning strike as CFC got back into the top-four. CFC are now in the third spot with 11 points from 6 games.
Odisha dropped out of top-four to be placed fifth with nine points after playing the same number of matches. For Odisha, Javi Hernandez reduced the margin with a brilliant late strike.
Bandovic deployed experienced defensive midfielder Ariel Borysiuk in the three-man defence along with Slavko Damjanovic and Narayan Das and pushed fullbacks Reagan Singh and Jerry Lalrinzuala as wingers upfront. It helped both Reagan and Jerry to play with more freedom and the midfielders Anirudh Thapa, Vladimir Koman and Germanpreet Singh to use the width of the pitch effectively.
It was CFC who seized the first opportunity of the match in the 23rd minute. Kamaljit did well initially to block a cross from the right but the ball took a rebound and landed at the feet of Germanpreet. The midfielder evaded the challenge of Odisha defenders to find his spot and net his first ISL goal in six years.
CFC next found the net in the 63rd minute. Murzaev received a ball from Lallianzuala Chhangte 35 yards away from the goal. With no Odisha defenders challenging him, Murzaev had enough time and space to fire a beautiful strike. Kamaljit put in a dive but the ball found the top right corner.
Odisha reduced the margin in the 90th minute through a Hernandez screamer. In the other match, Goa drew with Hyderabad 1-1.
