Cuttack: Chennai City FC defeated Churchill Brothers 3-1 at the Barabati Stadium here Thursday to register their first win of the ongoing 38th Hero Federation Cup to end their campaign on a victorious note.
However, it paved the way for Aizawl FC and East Bengal to play out a tame draw in the second game of the day. With Churchill’s loss, both sides were guaranteed a place in the semis and they did not take any undue risks preferring to rest key players of their sides.
Strikes by Dhanpal Ganesh (18th minute), Edwin Sydney (61st) and Brazilian Charles de Souza (79th) helped Chennai City FC to take three points, leapfrogging Churchill Brothers to finish third in Group A. The only goal for Churchill Brothers came when Brandon Fernandes scored from the spot in the 81st minute.
Both teams played the first half of the game with caution and while Churchill Brothers dominated possession, it was Chennai City FC that found the back of the net to lead 1-0 at half-time.
Ganesh picked up a loose ball inside the Churchill 25-yard area and let got with a powerful right-footer which gave the opposition custodian Naveen Kumar no chance.
Churchill had a chance to restore parity, but Fernandes’ shot from 30 yards out crashed into the crosspiece after beating the Chennai custodian.
There was minimal action in the second half as both teams were stuck on the midfield. Churchill had a chance again to restore parity in the 59th time, but this time, Fernandes shot wide of the target.
Two minutes later Chennai City FC doubled their lead after Sydney’s shot from inside the box crept into the back of the net leaving Naveen wrong-footed.
De Souza tripled Chennai City’s lead in the 79th minute after his powerful shot crashed into the net leaving the Churchill custodian stunned.
Churchill however, were awarded a penalty and Fernandes stepped up to finish the spot kick with ease and reduce Churchill’s deficit. However, it was too late for a comeback and the full-time scoreline read 3-1 in favour of Chennai City FC.
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