I-League 2017: Chennai City FC 1-2 East Bengal: Red and Golds conquer maiden game in Coimbatore

East Bengal moved into the second spot in the 2017/18 I-League table after a 2-1 away win over Chennai City FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore on Friday.

Katsumi Yusa (28') broke the deadlock while Charles de Souza (31') scored against his former employers. Alexander Romario Jesuraj (43') got the only goal for Chennai City FC in their first ever home game this season.

While the hosts made a solitary change from their 2-0 win at Churchill Brothers; bringing in Charles Anandraj Lourdusamy for striker Murilo Ribeiro de Almeida, the visitors had two of their own. Khalid Jamil went in with the extra striker in Charles De Souza, facing his former side.

Lalramchullova made a comeback into the side while the uninfluential Armand Bazzou was dropped. Cavin Lobo was sacrificed so that the Red and Golds could continue to field a four-man backline.

The game did proceed after the visitors cried foul over the dreadful playing surface. However, there was a healthy gathering of people in the stands even before the ball had kicked off.

Expectedly, East Bengal enjoyed more possession and also had a few swipes at goal. All their efforts were rewarded when Katsumi Yusa scored the first goal.

Mahmoud Al Amna sent a cross in from the right which was parried off by Uros Poljanec but the loose ball was deposited home by the former Mohun Bagan man after being unmarked inside the box.

Charles de Souza doubled the lead within five minutes. The Brazilian's physical advantage got the better of the Chennai City FC defenders, squirming to contain the striker as de Souza headed home from the long ball for his first goal in East Bengal colours.

Jamil replaced young Prakash Sarkar in favour of Mohammed Rafique and the hosts had one back in no time after the India international got into the field.

Michael Soosairaj's long throw-in resulted in a goalmouth melee which Alexander Romario Jesuraj converted, hitting the top corner of the net after a bad headed clearance.

The scoreline remained 2-1 in favour of the Kolkata giants into the halftime break and it remained so till the full-time whistle.

Willis Plaza and Murilo, who was brought into the game in the second period had their chances for their respective sides to score but neither could salvage any luck.

East Bengal trail leaders Minerva Punjab FC by three points as they breached the double-digit mark on the points table. The Red and Golds next face Gokulam Kerala FC at home while seventh-placed Chennai City travel to face Mohun Bagan in the new year