TRAU, Chennai City play out goalless stalemate

TRAU goalkeeper Shayan Roy was magnificent under the bar to deny the visitor all three points. The first half was entertaining as both sides created goal-scoring opportunities but failed to convert them. Chennai City adopted a cautious approach in the opening period, which prompted the home team to press hard.

TRAU earned a penalty in the 13th minute when Ajith Kumar was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the 18-yard box. Skipper Princewill Emeka stepped in but his effort rattled the woodwork, thus squandering a glorious opportunity. In the 33rd minute, Netrajit Singh’s volley went inches wide of the post.

CCFC coach Akbar Nawas made two early substitutions in the first half, bringing on Pravitto Raju and Jishnu Balakrishnan in place of Jockson Dhas and Varun Mathur, but still failed to find the net. The second half belonged to TRAU shotstopper Shayan, whose heroics saved the day for the host.

The home side survived a scare in the 50th minute when Vijay’s low-driven cross was almost deflected into the back of his own net by Deepak Devrani. In the 58th minute, Chennai City had a free-kick on the edge of the box. Katsumi Yusa curled one towards the top-left corner but was denied by a fine save from Shayan.

The tourist retained possession and kept the attack alive. Ajith’s cross found Roberto Eslava, whose headed effort was saved by Shayan. The custodian was at it again, saving Fito’s left-footed drive in the 65th minute. He couldn’t have done anything about the Spaniard’s free-kick a minute later but the crossbar came to his rescue.

Then, Shayan threw himself at yet another Eslava header from close range, leaving the Chennai City skipper wondering what else he needs to do to break the deadlock. TRAU could have wrapped up the three points but substitute Krishnananda Singh missed a sitter in the 89th minute,

He failed to convert a delightful Premjit Singh delivery barely a couple of yards away from goal. In the final minute of stoppage time, Katsumi’s cross found Fito on his favoured left foot but the Spaniard was denied by Shayan. With this result, TRAU rose to the fourth position with 16 points, while Chennai City slipped to seventh place with 15 points.