The ‘Indian El Classico’ read the posters inside the stadium yesterday as Chennaiyin FC took on Atletico de Kolkata. The two best teams went head to head as they seek all three points. But the game ended as expected with both side cancelling out each other.
Teams shared spoils, with both teams ending the game with ten men at the final whistle. Kolkata welcomed Luis Garcia back into the side. The Spanish striker was potent and was looked ready do damage to the opposition as the first opportunity of the game was created by him in the 3rd min as he played a inch perfect through ball on the left to release the winger who’s cross just frayed in front of the goal begging to just tap the ball home.
Kolkata started as the better side as Chennai had to play the waiting game. Luis Garcia was again the man who created all sorts of troubles for the home side, as he saw the keeper of the line and tried to chip him but the keeper scrambled back to put it out for a corner. As the game progressed, Chennai came in to the fray and created a chance of their own which was headed over the bar.
The Chennai side where looking to their Marquee man and captain for the day, Elano to provide some sort of creative spark and he answered the call. He was brought down at the edge of the area, it was his territory and his eyes lit up but Kolkata keeper touched the ball over and saved a brilliant shot. At the stroke of 30 mins on the clock, it all went wrong for Chennai as their goalkeeper was sent off for a challenge on Rafi. Shilton Paul was handed his marching orders as Luis Garcia stepped up to take the lead. One-Nil to Kolkata.
The half ended with Chennai a man down and a goal down.
Chennaiyin Fc started the second half as the better team with, Mendy and Elano doing all the work, apart from the finish. There was drama from the very first minute of the second half as Kolkata’s Jofre was sent off for a dive which was his second bookable offence. The teams where even as Chennai pressed for an equalizer.
Mendy bombed forward as his team searched for a goal, which looked like coming. Borja fouled Elano as he once again lined up a free kick to be save comfortably saved by Bete. With Kolkata standing strong in the defense, and Chennai creating opportunities the game was lively at the hour mark. Atletico missed an good chance to double their lead.
As the game was coming to its end, Elano crossed the ball in to the box with the Chennai player bundled down, the referee signaled for a penalty. 92 minutes on the clock, Elano put the ball into the net to get his side a deserved point.