It was a tale of two headers that shaped the game between Chennaiyin FC and Atletico de Kolkata which saw plenty of chances, but failed to provide a winner in Chennai on Sunday.
Atletico de Kolkata will be the more aggrieved between the two sides after leading for much of the game through a 39th minute header by marquee player Helder Postiga. The goal though was cancelled out in the 77th minute as Chennaiyin’s Davide Succi scored through a header of his own.
Chennaiyin though have another headache to worry about after their influential player Jeje Lalpekhlua limped off the field in the 19th minute with what appeared to be a pulled hamstring.
Atletico made most of Jeje’s absence with Chennaiyin looking a little perturbed by the Indian’s exit. The visiting team managed to get the lead six minutes before the half-way mark as some good moves on the right flank saw Pritam Kotal receive a good reverse pass from Javi Lara Grande.
Kotal neatly curled in a cross inside the box. Postiga headed the ball in clinically to beat Karanjit Singh to his right six minutes before the half-way mark.
Atletico de Kolkata so far have scored in all their away games and they kept that record intact on Sunday.
Chennaiyin FC were stubborn in their defence as expected, but also made their fair share of attacking plays. They finally found the net 13 minutes from time as the ball from the corner fell into the path of Davide Succi who met the ball with his head and thumped it past the keeper.
Brief Scores
Chennayin FC 1 (Davide Succi) draw Atletico de Kolkata 1 (Helder Postiga)