Chennai: Brazilian striker Elano Blumer and Spaniard Koke scored two superb goals for their respective sides as Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United played out a high-octane 2-2 draw in the Indian Super League match here on Saturday.
While Chennai’s both goals were scored by the talismanic Brazilian Elano, who now took his goal-tally to eight, Koke’s strike for NorthEast was also out of the top drawer.
With 11 points from six games, Chennayin remained in second spot after Atletico de Kolkata while NorthEast with nine points from seven games now remains on fourth spot. It was the home team that surged ahead in the 25th minute when Elano met with a perfect header as Denson Devadas turned the provider overlapping from the left wing.
However the joy was shortlived as NorthEast youngster Semilen or better known as Len equalized in the 38th minute. It was Aiborlang Khongjee, who essayed a neat centre that James Keene set up for Len to execute a left-footed finish.
The last 15 minutes of the second half was equally exciting as one witnessed couple of world class goals from Elano and Koke.
Latching onto a ball on the wide left, Elano cut past a couple of NorthEast defenders with outside dodge before essaying a low angular punch that beat custodian Rehnesh TP to make it 2-1. It was the 85th minute of the match as Aiborlang sprinted down right flank keeping a loopy centre inside the box which veteran stopper Gourmangi Singh made a mess while clearing.
Koke, who was standing at the left of the six-yard box used his reflexes brilliantly to smash home a side-volley as team’s co-owner John went delirious. (PTI)
