Chennaiyin FC beat NorthEast United 3-0 to register their first win of the Indian Super League 2017-18 season. Chennaiyin took an an early lead courtesy of courtesy of a Hakku own goal. The home team then doubled their lead a few minutes later courtesy of Raphael Augusto, who was awarded the Man of the Match for his performance. Mohammed Rafi, who came on as a second half substitute, put the game to bed with a headed effort towards the end of the game as the Highlanders continue to search for that first win of the tournament. Get highlights of ISL match between Chennaiyin FC vs NorthEast United FC here. (SCHEDULE | RESULTS | POINTS TABLE)
10:00 PM IST: That’s it from our side, thank you so much for joining us! Do join us again for more coverage of the Indian Super League 2017-18.
9:56 PM IST: Full-time: Chennaiyin FC 3-0 NorthEast United FC. John Gregory’s men have registered their first win of the season. NorthEast United, however, will have to wait for now to emerge on the winning side.
9:51 PM IST: 5 minutes have been added on.
9:49 PM IST: Questions will no doubt be asked of NorthEast United coach after this display, but credit must be given to Chennaiyin FC; they’ve been ruthless today.
9:45 PM IST: GOAL! Mohammed Rafi’s header after Gavillan’s free-kick was deflected onto the post has all but ensured the game is over at this point.
9:41 PM IST: 10 minutes to go now and the game looks all but over at this point.
9:38 PM IST: Raphael Augusto is replaced by Gavillan and the former gets a standing ovation from the Chennaiyin faithful.
9:35 PM IST: Chennaiyin defending by the skin of their teeth now. A goal for NorthEast could still throw this game wide open.
9:32 PM IST: 20 minutes left now and Chennaiyin look increasingly likely to register their first win of the season.
9:29 PM IST: Both sides looking for a goal at this point: Chennaiyin to kill the game and NorthEast to stay in it.
9:26 PM IST: Chennaiyin finally showing some spark on the break, but their attack comes to nothing in the end.
9:23 PM IST: The game is developing a bit of an edge as the Highlanders are getting a little too physical with their opponents. Frustration is coming to the fore now.
9:20 PM IST: NorthEast are knocking on the door but need to do more with their possession.
9:17 PM IST: With a little over 30 minutes to go now, NorthEast United must take the game to the home side because there is no way they are getting a result otherwise.
9:14 PM IST: The second half hasn’t been as intense as the first, but Chennaiyin have done well to defend their lead so far. A third goal would all but ensure they end the night with three points.
9:11 PM IST: The Highlanders’ lack of a final ball in the third half continues to haunt them in the second half.
9:08 PM IST: NorthEast so nearly score from a direct free-kick but Marcinho’s shot goes just over the bar.
9:06 PM IST: And the second half is underway!
8:50 PM IST: Half-time: Chennayin FC 2-0 NorthEast United FC. The home team are rightfully ahead at the break.
8:47 PM IST: Three minutes added on in the first half.
8:44 PM IST: Four minutes plus added time to go now till the first half and Chennaiyin look likely to enter the break with a comfortable two-goal lead.
8:41 PM IST: Marcinho has been quiet for the visitors in the first half. Although one can argue that Hakku could have done better from that corner the Brazilian curled in...
8:38 PM IST: NorthEast pressing in search of a goal but they’re having little luck so far.
8:35 PM IST: Chennaiyin are sitting a bit deep with a little over 10 minutes to go till half-time. That’s what having a two-goal lead in the first half will do to a team.
8:32 PM IST: NorthEast are seeing plenty of the ball but doing little with it. It’s no wonder they’re struggling at this point.
8:29 PM IST: After Chennai found themselves on the wrong end of a similar situation in their last game, it’s quite a turnaround on their part to be leading 2-0 with only 28 minutes gone this time around.
8:26 PM IST: GOAL! It’s Augusto once again as he finishes at the end of a good counter-attacking move by the home side. Chennaiyin now lead 2-0.
8:25 PM IST: Chennaiyin look dangerous on the break. NorthEast need to stop giving the ball away at dangerous areas of the field.
8:23 PM IST: NorthEast are passing well but their final ball has been disappointing thus far. That needs to change if they are to make a comeback into this game.
8:20 PM IST: Only some brilliant last-ditch defending is saving NorthEast United from conceding a second here. They need to get back into the game, and fast.
8:17 PM IST: It’s been all Chennaiyin after that first goal and they could have scored a second from a corner but the headed effort is straight at the goalkeeper. Chennai fans are no doubt loving this.
8:13 PM IST: GOAL! Raphael Augusto’s curled effort from outside the box takes a cheeky deflection and goes past Rehenesh. Chennaiyin have the early lead.
8:11 PM IST: It’s been an evenly matched game between the two sides so far. One gets the feeling that only a spectacular bit of play will be the difference maker for either side.
8:10 PM IST: NorthEast United growing into the game now and they look more comfortable with the ball at their feet.
8:07 PM IST: Oh and Chennaiyin so nearly concede what would have been a terrible goal! Karanjit Singh’s attempted clearance finds Doungel but the shot from a wide angle goes just over.
8:05 PM IST: It’s early going yet but NEUFC are on the backfoot as of now. The key is to settle fast and not remain second best.
8:04 PM IST: Chennaiyin already looking far more settled in the early going than they did against FC Goa.
8:02 PM IST: The referee has blown his whistle, and we are now underway!
7:55 PM IST: Both teams have emerged from the tunnel and high-octane action is now only minutes away.
7:50 PM IST: The teams are about to make their way out to the field now.
7:45 PM IST: 15 minutes till kick-off, and fans at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai are making their voices heard.
7:40 PM IST: NorthEast United are still without midfielder Rowllin Borges. They had a good showing last time around, but the Highlanders will be hoping to have him available for selection sooner rather than later.
7:30 PM IST: Only 30 minutes to go till we are treated to an exciting game of football!
7:25 PM IST: NorthEast United fans are turning up to support their team away from home too:
7:15 PM IST: NorthEast United FC starting XI: Tumbirumbu Paramba Rehenesh; Nirmal Chhetri, Jose Julio Goncalves, Abdul Hakku Nediyodath, Robert Lalthlamuana; Odair Fortes, Marcinho, Adilson Goiano, Lalrindika Ralte, Seiminlen Doungel; Danilo Cezario.
7:10 PM IST: Chennaiyin FC starting XI: Karanjit Singh; Inigo Calderon, Henrique Sereno, Mailson Alves, Jerry Lalrinzuala; Dhanpal Ganesh, Bikramjit Singh, Francisco Fernandes, Raphael Augusto, Gregory Nelson; Jeje Lalpekhlua.
7:00 PM IST: On the other hand, Chennaiyin FC will bank on Raphael Augusto’s midfield play as well as his goals in their pursuit of their first win of the season.
6:55 PM IST: NorthEast United FC will be relying on Marcinho - who was Man of the Match in their previous match vs Jamshedpur FC - to put in a good performance again. The Brazilian was unlucky to not get on the scoresheet last time and will be looking to open his account today.
6:45 PM IST: Chennaiyin FC have only ever beaten the Highlanders once in six encounters. NorthEast United have won three fixtures, with the other two ending in draws.
6:30 PM IST: It’s worth noting that NorhtEast United FC have never lost a game to Chennaiyin FC at Chennai in three years of the ISL. Will that change today? We will find out soon enough.
6:15 PM IST: Both Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United FC will be looking to get their first win of the new ISL season. Chennaiyin suffered a 3-2 loss to FC Goa in their opener, whilst NEUFC were held to a goalless draw by debutants Jamshedpur FC.
6:10 PM IST: Hello and welcome to live coverage of the Indian Super League encounter between Chennaiyin FC and NorthEast United FC!
NorthEast United were held to a goalless draw by debutants Jamshedpur FC in their opening game of the season. They have never made it to the playoffs in the last three editions of the ISL, and will look to break the curse this season. Midfielder Rowlin Borges may return to the team after missing their first game due to injury.
Chennaiyin FC were completely outplayed in their first game against FC Goa and although they staged a late fightback, the game ended 2-3. Inigo Calderon and Raphael Augusto were the scorers for Chennaiyin FC, but it was not enough. Now they would need to bounce back against NorthEast United FC, a team which has never lost at this venue in the past three seasons.
