Super Cup 2019, Chennaiyin FC vs NorthEast United FC: 5 Talking Points
Chennaiyin FC faced off against this season's Indian Super League semi-finalist NorthEast United FC in the Super Cup. It was the last quarter-final of the Super Cup and both the teams were playing to fix their spots in the semifinals.
While Chennaiyin FC got into the Quarter Finals by defeating Mumbai City FC, NorthEast United FC got into the Quarter Finals on the back of a walkover awarded to them by NEROCA FC.
Both the teams knew understood the importance of the tie and approached the game accordingly.
The first half started on a bright note for the Highlanders as they took the lead in the ninth minute through Rowllin Borges.
Chennaiyin FC came back strongly in the game and equalised through a Mailson Alves header before Anirudh Thapa finished off a beautiful solo run to give Chennaiyin the lead before half time.
The scoreboard read 2-1 in favour of Chennaiyin FC at half time.
With both the teams failing to score in the second half the game ended 2-1 in favour of Chennaiyin FC which saw them progress to the semi-finals of the Super Cup.
On that note, let us take a look at the five talking points from today's game.
#5 Lack of Squad Depth keep haunting NorthEast United FC
NorthEast United FC came into this game with just 13 fit players which included two goalkeepers. The lack of squad depth has been a significant issue for the side based in Guwahati.
The lack of squad depth caused a lot of concerns for the Northeast United dugout during the business end of the Indian Super League. It also had an impact on today's game as NEUFC were without the likes of Ogbeche, Gallego, Redeem, Robert, Rehnesh who were all out injured.
The situation also meant that NorthEast United FC was without many options during the game. They couldn't make many changes during the match tactically due to the lack of options on the bench.
After Chennaiyin FC took the lead the lack of options had a significant impact on Northeast United's gameplay.
NorthEast United FC as a team looked sloppy and uninterested in playing the game today, and that mental aspect showed on the field.