CHENNAI: There are probably a few better representations of Chennaiyin FC’s season this year than their opening 16 minutes against Delhi Dynamos on Saturday.The home side started with verve at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. It took just two minutes to get a first shot on target; an impressive feat considering that they have gone through entire matches this season without having more than a couple. Delhi keeper Francisco Dorronsoro was forced to tip a Carlos Salom header over in the fifth minute, and made a save eight minutes later to deny Raphael Augusto. Fans had found their voice, and it a goal seemed to be only a matter of time.
In the 16th minute, Delhi scored through Daniel Lalhlimpuia. That had a lot to do with Chennaiyin defending. Daniel was afforded a free header in the box, while no one bothered to close down S Nandhakumar’s cross. Chants became subdued and the home players had their heads down. It was clear that their winless run was going to continue. It did, with a 1-3 loss to the team who were formerly the worst in the league (the result saw Delhi creep above Chennaiyin in standings). Augusto briefly restored parity with a well-taken penalty, but two late Bikramjit Singh and Nandhakumar strikes swung the game Delhi’s way.
The nightmare has briefly paused for Chennaiyin as they will wait till the end of January for their next game. Coach John Gregory has time to use the January transfer market to rectify a few mistakes.The problem, though, is that it is not one or two mistakes that he has to correct. Pretty much everything has gone wrong for Chennaiyin this season. Their forwards have disappointed without exception. It is difficult to say who among Jeje Lalpekhlua and Salom has done so more. Between them, they have a solitary goal this season. Jeje came on for the last 20 minutes on Saturday and hardly got to touch the ball. That still seemed like an improvement on Salom, whom he had replaced.
In goal, Karanjit Singh has been a shadow of the keeper he was last season. Thirty-six-year-old Inigo Calderon is looking every bit his age, while Jerry Lalrinzuala and Anirudh Thapa have failed to deliver.
Their ISL season may be over, but AFC Cup qualifiers are yet to come. Gregory has a month to figure out how to get his team playing football again.