ISL 2024-25: Mohammedan Sporting rides on stoppage-time double to hold Chennaiyin FC to 2-2 draw
ISL 2024-25: Mohammedan Sporting rides on stoppage-time double to hold Chennaiyin FC to 2-2 draw
Mohammedan Sporting pulled up a dramatic draw with two goals in the injury time to hold Chennaiyin FC 2-2 in an Indian Super League (ISL) 11 encounter at the Kishore Bharati Stadium here on Wednesday.
Chennaiyin enjoyed a healthy two-goal lead till the end of the regulation time with strikes from Pachuau Laldinpuia and Lukas Brambilla once in each half.
Mohammedan Sporting made a spectacular turnaround in the nine minutes added as injury-time when substitute Manvir Singh Saini reduced the margin in the fifth minute (90+5). Lalremsanga Fanai brought up the equaliser, converting a penalty awarded in the last minute of the injury time. Manvir Singh was tripped inside the box by Laldinpuia, who was given marching orders after the incident.
Chennaiyin FC remained in the 10th spot in the current standings, with 17 points from 16 matches while Mohammedan Sporting, too, did not see any improvement in its status after the draw, sitting 12th, with 11 points from 16 games.
The Marina Machans took control of the game early and converted its dominance with a goal in the 10th minute when Pachuau Laldinpuia nodded home from close after Connor Shields set his corner right on top of the six-yard box.
Mohammedan Sporting had a chance to equalise in the 27th minute when it earned the first penalty but Mirjalol Kasimov’s attempt from the spot was saved by the Mohammad Nawaz. Chennaiyin doubled the lead early in the second half through Brazilian midfielder Brambilla’s goal but failed to secure the win in the end.
After missing a few good scoring opportunities in regulation time, Mohammedan Sporting found the target when the fans in the stands appeared to be certain about the side suffering another defeat at home.
Manvir Singh got an angular attempt home to brighten the hopes and then set up the second. Lalremsanga made no mistake from the spot to restore parity for a side which had created one of the biggest upsets of the tournament by beating Bengaluru FC (1-0) at the latter’s home four days ago.
