The Indian Super League finally returns to the south east coast after two years with an exciting game between Chennaiyin FC and Bengaluru FC.
Both sides come into this game having won their respective opening matches and will be looking for full points to keep the momentum going. After securing a win against ATK Mohun Bagan, which was the first against the club in the ISL, Chennaiyin FC became only the third team to reach 50 league wins. They also became the third team to reach the 200-goal milestone.
Best seats at the 🏟️ tomorrow! 😉
We are excited to have @grthoteles as our official hospitality partner for the day of the season! 💙🤝#AllInForChennaiyin pic.twitter.com/41UsoDI54n
— Chennaiyin FC 🏆🏆 (@ChennaiyinFC) October 13, 2022
In a game of contrasting halves against ATKMB, The Marina Machans were conservative in the first half. In the second half, they tried to seal their authority and probed more in the last third. Head coach Thomas Brdaric’s substitutions played a vital role in his team’s triumph. Brdaric decided to introduce Kwame Karikari into the game just before the hour mark. The Ghanaian took just three minutes to score a penalty.
Karikari himself scored the equalizer from the penalty spot before setting up Rahim Ali with a lovely low cross for the winner in the 83rd minute. The Chennaiyin FC head coach said fitness played a key role. Bengaluru FC is one win away from reaching the 50-win milestone. The Blues are undefeated in their last six games against Marina Machans. However, the visitors have only won one of five matches at the Marina Arena. Last season, Bengaluru FC scored 32 goals in the league.
Nineteen of the 32 goals were scored from set pieces. The Blues started the new season in similar fashion when they scored the winner against NEUFC from a corner. Alan Costa scored his third goal when he headed in the winner against NEUFC. All three of his goals in the have come from the corners.
The Marina Machans and the Blues have met 11 times in the Hero ISL. Bengaluru FC won six games while Chennaiyin FC won three. Two games have ended in draws.
