ISL 2025-26: Mohammedan SC holds sluggish Chennaiyin FC to a goalless draw

Chennaiyin FC’s quest for back-to-back wins in the 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) season and their first victory over bottom-placed Mohammedan FC continued after they played out a goalless draw at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Tuesday.

The conditions were demanding, but Chennaiyin’s evening was characterized more by a lack of urgency than the weather, as Mohammedan grew in belief and came away with a deserved point.

It was the visitor who asked most of the early questions in a game where there were few clear openings. Hira Mondal came closest to breaking the deadlock. After Makan Chothe cut the ball onto his left foot and delivered an inviting cross, Hira arrived at the back post and guided his effort towards goal, only for Mohammad Nawaz to get his fingertips on and keep Chennaiyin level. Shortly afterwards, Mahitosh Roy picked up Hira again with a cross from the left, but this time he could not suppress his header.

While Chothe remained a lively outlet in attack, Mohammedan’s defense was equally committed. Juwel Mazumder produced a crucial goal-line clearance towards the end of the first half after Mandar Dessai, substitute for the injured Klusner Pereira, sent in a cross from the left that found Imran Khan, whose effort looked destined to test the goalkeeper.

READ ALSO | Owen Coyle: India should make use of more talents from abroad like Ryan Williams

Imran was Chennaiyin’s most diligent player. He covered ground and tried to inject urgency into an attack that too often lacked conviction. However, Klusner’s debut ended prematurely after he suffered a blow.

Mohammedan goalkeeper Padam Chettri looked uncomfortable during the opening battles and failed to collect the ball cleanly on more than one occasion. Chennaiyin showed brief promise in short order, with Imran connecting neatly with Chima before Maheson Singh was found in a dangerous area, but the latter’s heavy first touch denied him the ball and the move only ended in a corner.

The second half brought more frustration than fluidity to the home team. There was a moment of encouragement when local youngster Prakadeswaran found space in the center of the penalty area, but the 19-year-old could not control the ball and the chance slipped away. It was a miss that summed up Chennaiyin’s evening, especially as some of the more experienced players also struggled to impose themselves.

Mohammedan continued to threaten sporadically. Chothe cut inside and combined quickly before powering a long-range effort over the bar.

Then, with about 10 minutes to go, Irfan floated in a cross with the outside of his boot, but Chima failed to hit the target and mistimed his volley for the second time in the match.

Ultimately, Chennaiyin didn’t do enough to force the issue, while Mohammedan may feel that, with more composure in front of goal, it could have taken all three points.

Published on April 21, 2026