Chennai: Chennaiyin FC and Odisha FC shared the spoils after a thrilling Hero Indian Super League encounter finished 2-2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Thursday.
After a barren first-half, Nerijus Valskis (51′) handed Chennaiyin the lead. But Odisha equalised through Xisco Hernandez (54′). Valskis thought he had given Chennaiyin the win with a second goal in the 71st minute, but Aridane Santana (82′) ensured Odisha returned from Chennai with a point. The result sees Chennaiyin climb to eighth spot in the table with five points from six games while Odisha, who played out a third consecutive draw, are sixth with six points. Odisha, as expected, had most of the early possession and the first real chance did come their way. Masih Saighani gave away the ball in midfield in the eighth minute, allowing Jerry Mawihmingthanga to intercept and move forward. The ball eventually fell to Xisco Hernandez inside the box and his snap-shot was saved by an alert Chennaiyin goalkeeper Vishal Kaith. The home side found themselves on the backfoot trying to keep Odisha at bay for much of the first half. Odisha were guilty of wasting good opportunities though. As the half wound down, the tide did turn a little and Chennaiyin started to find more joy going forward. But apart from a few half-chances, the hosts could not fashion any chance of note. At the stroke of half-time, Odisha had a great chance when Santana slipped Jerry in behind the defence, but his shot went wide of the far post. (PTI)
