Connor Shields scored twice as Chennaiyin FC registered a dominating 5-1 victory against Punjab FC in the 2023-24 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Sunday.
Leading from the front, Ryan Edwards opened the scoring for Chennaiyin in the 24th minute while Connor Shields contributed a brace to their tally in the 27th and 56th minutes. Rafael Crivellaro (45+1th P) and substitute Vincy Barretto (84th) also got their names on the scoresheet to ensure the second win in a row for the Marina Machans that helped them move into the Top-6 in the points table.
Krishnananda Singh Khundongbam scored Punjab’s only goal in the 86th minute.
Coming into the match after a win over Hyderabad FC, Owen Coyle’s men were brimming with confidence as they went out all guns blazing from the word go against the side which is new to the league. The hosts not only dominated the opposition with their aggressive display but also created several close chances that saw them scoring two goals in quick succession.
It was captain Edwards, who scored the opening goal of the match for Chennaiyin with a right-footed strike. The 26-year-old Shields then doubled the lead and gave the home fans another reason to celebrate. He converted Crivellaro’s cross to perfection.
Things got even worse for the visitors who conceded a penalty after Farukh Choudhary was brought down in the box. The fan-favourite Crivellaro made no mistake in making it 3-0 for Chennaiyin at the stroke of halftime.
Punjab FC’s struggle continued even after the break as they suffered a big blow when defender Melroy Assisi was sent off with a red card for pulling down Rahim Ali, reducing them to 10 men.
Taking full advantage of the situation, Chennaiyin took the game further away from Punjab with the Scottish striker Shields netting his second goal of the match with a spectacular strike from distance.
The 23-year-old Barretto, who came onto the field in the 64th minute, made his presence felt when he converted a Jordan Murray pass to score the team’s fifth goal.
Punjab, however, hit their first goal in the 86th minute with Khundongbam striking from outside the box, but it was too late as Chennaiyin completed a commanding victory in a lopsided contest.
Chennaiyin will now host FC Goa next Sunday whereas Punjab FC will continue their hunt for the first ISL win against Mumbai City FC in an away game on Thursday.
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