Local League: Chennai FC earns a dramatic draw against Viva Chennai in CFA league

Earlier, Chennai United’s dismal run continued as it lost 1-4 to Southern Railway. After losing to Indian Bank in its previous match, Viva got off the blocks quickly and dominated the possession in the first-half. Its dominance didn’t go waste as both its forwards S Rajesh and Eze Daniel scored two goals before the break to give it a two-goal cushion. 

Soon after the second-half began, Rajesh converted a penalty to make it 3-0. At that point, it looked like Chennai FC, deflated as it was, would struggle to get a foothold but things changed in a matter of two minutes as it scored two goals against the run of play. Nigerian forward Oyoaommanueline converted a penalty in the 57th minute and two minutes later, Guin Singh came up with a brilliant goal to make it 2-3. Stung by conceding those two goals, Viva made attacking forays into its rival’s half and defender Basant Rai delivered a stunning free-kick to restore the two-goal lead in the 68th minute. The final 20 minutes witnessed a lot of excitement as Chennai FC’s Abishek Kumar controlled the ball neatly and scored from the edge of the box to raise hopes of a comeback in his camp. Barely a few minutes after that goal, Chennai FC had a brilliant opportunity to add another one, but Jiten Prakash missed a sitter with the goal there for the taking. 

With only a couple of minutes remaining, Chennai FC’s Joseph Segundo’s left-footer grazed the right upright and rolled into the net before Viva goalkeeper could get to his hands to the ball to complete a famous comeback.

RESULTS: Southern Railway 4 (Sarath 2, 4; Riju 45+3, 64) bt Chennai United FC 1 (Ganeshan 90+1); Chennai FC 4 (Oyoaommanueline 57, Guin Singh 59, Abishek Kumar 72, Joseph Segundo 88) drew with Viva Chennai FC 4 ( Rajesh 11, 52; Ezi Daniel 29, Basant Railway 68)