KOLKATA: Debutants Sudeva Delhi FC grabbed their second win to enter the top half of the Hero I-League table with eight points, as the Chencho Dorji-coached side defeated Chennai City FC 4-0 at the VYBK Stadium here on Wednesday.
Naocha Singh’s quick-fire brace in the first ten minutes of the match and strikes by Mahesh Singh and Manvir Singh in the second half provided the Delhi-based side a comfortable victory. With this loss, CCFC occupied the bottom half of the table with six points from five matches.
Sudeva Delhi FC got off to a dream start and found the net twice in the first ten minutes. In the 6th minute, Naocha Singh tapped home from inside the box following a brilliant Naorem Mahesh cross that completely bamboozled the opposition defence.
Four minutes later, Sudeva’s high pressing style of play reaped dividends. Kean Lewis stole possession high up the field and put Naocha Singh onto goal. From a tight angle, the forward produced a sublime finish to put Sudeva 2-0 up.
Two quickly became three for Sudeva after the break. In the 51st minute, Naorem Mahesh Singh ran past two CCFC defenders and coolly slotted the ball home with his left foot for the third goal. Shortly after, Manvir put Sudeva 4 goals up in the 71st minute with a curling shot.
MSC, Neroca draw: Mohammedan SC’s troubles in front of goal continued as the Black Panthers failed to score in their second consecutive game and drew for the fourth straight match after a goalless draw against Neroca FC at the Kalyani Municipal Stadium. Custodian Shubham Roy made key stops to keep the scoreline tied against the Manipuri side and was named the Hero of the Match for his efforts.
The earliest glimpse on goal came in the 4th minute when Sanjib Ghosh’s long ranger was saved with ease by Neroca keeper Bishrojit Singh. In the 12th minute, Mohammedan’s Suraj Rawat made a dazzling run into the area but he could not deliver his cross as he ran out of touch.
After the opening minutes, which saw end-to-end football, both teams settled down and fought hard for possession. The game turned into a physical battle as at the end of the first half, with both teams conceding as many as 20 fouls.
Mohammedan came forward with attacking intent in the early minutes of the second half. They won a string of corners but hardly troubled the Orange Brigade backline.
CB, AFC too draw: Table-toppers Churchill Brothers were held to a goalless draw by former champions Aizawl FC in Kalyani. A goalless affair that saw both teams create chances ended in a stalemate as neither side was able to convert inside the box. However, a draw for Churchill Brothers means that they retain their pole position in the Hero I-League.
Shortly before kick-off, Churchill Brothers’ head coach Fernando Varela was awarded the Coach of the Month award for January 2021. (Picture & Report: AIFF Media)
