Chennaiyin FC opened their account in the 2026 season of the Indian Super League (ISL) with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium on Sunday.
Chennaiyin took the lead on the stroke of half-time through Elsinho’s first ISL goal and followed that up with an enterprising display in the second half, creating several chances in an encouraging attacking display. However, Carlos Delgado’s header midway through the second half ensured that the win was shared.
Head coach Clifford Miranda made two changes to his starting line-up, moving Farukh Choudhary into attack and giving Maheson Singh his first league start for the club. Maheson teamed up with Mohammed Ali Bemammer at the base of midfield.
Chennaiyin, unbeaten against Odisha last season and winners of two of the last five meetings between the teams, started well.
Within six minutes, Mandar Rao Dessai was released down the left flank, and his return almost found Iñigo Martin before the danger had passed. Shortly afterwards, Alberto Noguera Irfan Yadwad slipped through on goal, but his cutback was intercepted.
From the ensuing corner, Farukh latched onto a loose ball and unleashed a fierce volley that was bravely blocked.
Chennaiyin continued to stretch the Odisha defense in width as Maheson twice combined well with Martin – first setting him up for a blocked effort and later delivering a pass that the Spaniard controlled before firing over.
AS IT HAPPENED: CFC VS OFC HIGHLIGHTS
The breakthrough came in stoppage time of the first half. Farukh’s inswinging corner was met by a powerful header from Elsinho, who scored the club’s first goal of the season to put the visitors 1-0 ahead. Moments later, Mohammad Nawaz produced an acrobatic save to maintain the lead and cap a dominant opening half.
Chennaiyin maintained their attacking intent after the restart. Imran Khan and Lalrinliana Hnamte were introduced in place of Irfan and Maheson in the 57th minute. Just past the hour mark, Martin drifted into space and burst into the box before attempting to curl his effort into the far corner only to see it drift wide.
Klusner Pereira replaced Farukh as Chennaiyin tried to maintain their attacking prowess. However, towards the run of play in the 68th minute, Odisha found an equalizer when Carlos Delgado rose highest to head home to make it 1-1.
Chennaiyin responded quickly. Imran tested his luck from distance and later delivered a dangerous inswinging ball that Martin could not convert. Vivek S and Gurkirat Singh were introduced late as the visitors pushed for a winner.
Deep into injury time, Gurkirat went down in the area but calls for a penalty were waved away. Soon after, Laldinliana Renthlei delivered a teasing cross that found Imran just yards from goal, but his header sailed over, forcing Chennaiyin to settle for a point.
Published on March 1, 2026
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