Chennaiyin FC’s wait for a home win over FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) continues after Sandesh Jhingan struck late to cancel out Irfan Yadwad’s second-half opener in a 1-1 draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday.
Chennaiyin last defeated Goa at home on February 29, 2020, and for a long time it looked like that series would finally end before Jhingan’s late intervention salvaged a point for the visitor.
The decisive moment for the home team came early in the second half. A poor back pass from midfielder Sahil Tavora towards goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari rolled invitingly into the path of substitute Yadwad, who calmly pushed the ball into the net to give Chennaiyin the lead.
With forward Inigo Martin on the bench, defender Eduardo Kau named himself at the back alongside the experienced Pritam Kotal, while Elsinho Dias operated for them, linking play from deeper areas. Chennaiyin ensured that the backline remained organized to contain Goa’s attacking trio of Dejan Drazic, Udanta Singh and Brison Fernandes.
CFC vs FCG – As it happened
Chennaiyin looked hesitant in possession early on. The first corner of the match came in the ninth minute when Drazic whipped in a cross, but Maheson Singh got ahead of Udanta to clear the danger.
The host gradually settled down and created his first real chance shortly afterwards. Imran Khan collected the ball in midfield and found Chima Chukwu to make his first start of the season. Chukwu, who was later forced off injured in the 20th minute, cleverly placed the ball into Maheson’s path but the winger’s close-range effort could only clip the outside of the upright.
Chennaiyin came close again after a routine throw-in, much to the frustration of Goa head coach Manolo Marquez on the sidelines. Laldinliana Renthlei’s delivery found Elsinho, who pushed the ball straight to Farukh Choudhary. Farukh leaned back as he fired at goal but Tiwari equalized the effort.
At the other end, Drazic twice tried to overwhelm the defense with quickly taken free kicks, although Udanta and Brison were unable to take advantage. Much of Goa’s attacking power seemed to flow through the Serbian, who has scored four goals this season.
Late in the second half, Goa pushed men forward in search of an equalizer, while Chennaiyin dropped deeper and suffered a series of cheap fouls. With ten minutes to go, Goa created a chance from a free-kick, but Aakash Sangwan blasted his effort well over the crossbar from 30 yards out.
Goa eventually managed to find the equalizer. In the 86th minute, Chennaiyin won a corner but failed to capitalize as Goa quickly broke forward. Drazic carried the ball through the middle and saw his shot blocked by Nawaz, earning his team a corner. The Serbian delivered the set piece into the penalty area where Jhingan rose highest to head home and level the score to frustrate the home side.
Looking ahead to the international breakthrough, Chennaiyin hopes that its foreign contingent is fully fit again. Chukwu and Elsinho were both stretchered off the field, while Mohammed Ali Bemammer is also sidelined with an injury.
Before kick-off, the club paid tribute to Joshua Peters, founder of the official fan group, who passed away last year. Club owner Abhishek Bachchan presented Joshua’s family with a jersey on the pitch at half-time, while supporters unveiled a banner bearing his image and the words: «Chennaiyin forever.»
Published on March 22, 2026
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