ISL 2018-19: Chennaiyin FC vs Bengaluru FC – 5 talking points as Jeje ends ISL goal-drought to stun table toppers
Chennaiyin FC pulled off a major upset in the Indian Super League by defeating table-toppers Bengaluru FC on Saturday. The defending champions won 2-1 to register their first home win at the Marina Arena in Chennai.
It was only the second win of this season for Chennaiyin, who remained at the bottom eight points from 15 matches. Bengaluru, who too retained their top spot, suffered their second loss of the season.
Jeje Lalpekhlua ended his ISL goal-drought with a superb strike in the 32nd minute and Gregory Nelson put the home side in a commanding position with a perfect header in the 45th minute.
Bengaluru tried their best to come back and Sunil Chhetri pulled one back in the 57th minute but their aim to collect at least a single point remained elusive.
Let us look at the talking points of the match:
Also see: ISL SCHEDULE I ISL POINT TABLE I ISL RESULTS
#5 Jeje scores his first goal in this ISL
There were more brickbats than bouquets for Jeje Lalpekhlua in recent times. So many negative comments have been passed on him. But Jeje Lakhpekhlua showed his mettle on the big stage once again and proved that criticism made him stronger. The goal was an answer to all those who doubted his ability and talent.
Raphael Augusto initiated the attack from the field and passed the ball to CK Vineeth, who was standing in a more favourable position. Vineeth, however, failed to control the pass but he did find Jeje behind Nishu Kumar. Nishu failed to clear the forward pass which was received by the Mizo Sniper. Jeje lashed a powerful shot towards the goal, which only touched a finger of Gurpreet’s stretched hand before going into the net.
This was the first goal he has scored in this season. Although it was too late for his team to retain their title, Jeje should come out with much more confidence when he takes the field in the remaining two matches.
It was a long-awaited goal that finally came after nearly a year – 330 days to be precise. The last time he found the net in the ISL was in the last edition, when he scored a brace against FC Goa in the semi-final.
His goal-drought worried former national team coach Stephen Constantine before he announced the squad for the Asian Cup last month. Jeje though scored in the opening match against Thailand and played the remaining two matches too.
But his drought in the ISL meant the team struggled in the most of the matches. However, Jeje can finally hold his head high as his goal came for a winning cause.