The Stars
Mendy, Mendoza and Hume
Bernard Mendy’s stunning overhead goal against Kerala Blasters took Chennayin FC towards their 2nd victory in the Indian Super League. The defender was a giant in Chennaiyin’s defense and hardly gave room for Kerala’s strikers to breathe. He produced a goal out of nowhere in the ‘South Indian derby’, leaving Blaster’s keeper James absolutely shell-shocked.
Bernard Mendy had a brilliant game
Valencia Mendoza was undoubtedly the best player after Mendy in today’s clash at Chennai. The Colombian winger was omnipresent today as he often changed flanks and gave a tough time to the away team. He moved the ball with ease, terrorizing the Kerala defense throughout the game.
Iain Hume’s equalizer gave Kerala Blasters the first goal of their campaign. The Canadian was a busy man in the field and supplied balls well whenever he went in the deep of his midfield. His partnership with substitute Michael Chopra did ring Chennaiyin’s bells in the second half, but was not enough to help his team salvage a point.
The Flops
Gurwinder, Hossain and Khabra
Gurwinder Singh’s reckless challenge in the first-half on Abhishek Das awarded a penalty to the hosts. The centre-back was not at his standards today which he had set in the first game against NorthEast United. He was fortunate enough not to receive a second yellow for the clumsy tackle, after having been booked a few minutes earlier.
Mehtab Hossain was a complete mediocre in the midfield for Kerala Blasters. Dubbed as ‘Indian Claude Makelele’, Mehtab was sluggish in his role and ended up frustrated on a number of occasions. The former Mohan Bagan player lacked killer passes and was clearly not at his best level of football.
Harmanjot Khabra was the only player for Chennaiyin FC who was a dead stone in the lively game against Kerala Blasters. He played the holding midfielder role and was seldom seen with the ball.
