Can Chennaiyin FC put their 'Marina Arena curse' behind them?

Chennaiyin FC last won their opening home game of the season at the Marina Arena in 2014!

The Marina Machans are set to begin their home leg of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 campaign tonight as they take on Mohammedan Sporting Club in Chennai. Though Owen Coyle’s side are the favorites against their opponents, the club’s record in their opening home fixture of the season at the Marina Arena is horrendous, to say the least. 

Chennaiyin have won their first game at home just once in eight attempts. Even this win came back in 2014. Let’s take a look at Chennaiyin FC’s performance in their home opener at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium over the years.

Chennaiyin FC 2-1 Kerala Blasters (ISL 2014)

Bernard Mendy’s bicycle kick made all the difference for the Marina Machans against the Blasters on the night. This was Chennaiyin FC’s first-ever game at home and their first win at the Marina Arena. 

Marco Materazzi’s side finished the league stage on top of the standings but were eventually eliminated in the semifinals by the Kerala Blasters. 

Chennaiyin FC 2-3 Atletico de Kolkata (ISL 2015)

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai hosted the opening game of the 2015 ISL season. Both sides put up an entertaining game but the three points were taken home by ATK courtesy of a brace from Helder Postiga.

CFC though, had the last laugh that season, going on to win their first ISL title.

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Chennaiyin FC 1-3 Delhi Dynamos (ISL 2016)

A Marcelinho brace sunk the defending champions Chennaiyin FC in their first home game of the 2016 ISL season. The Marina Machans eventually finished the season in the seventh spot as their manager Materazzi was eventually let go after this season. 

#SuperMachans, here's our squad for ISL 2016! #IdhuChennaiDa #ChennaiyinFC #PoduMachiGoalu #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/LugWAdv7HJ

— Chennaiyin F.C. (@ChennaiyinFC) September 29, 2016

Chennaiyin FC 2-3 FC Goa (ISL 2017-18)

FC Goa took a 3-0 lead in the first half and it looked like the home side were going to be humiliated. But John Gregory’s team fought back in the second 45 minutes and scored twice. 

Though they couldn’t win on the night, CFC’s fighting spirit remained until the end of the season as they were crowned champions for the second time.

Chennaiyin FC 1-3 FC Goa (ISL 2018-19)

The defending champions were humbled by FC Goa in their home opener for the second consecutive season as Edu Bedia, Ferran Corominas, and Mourtada Fall found the back of the net for the Gaurs.

John Gregory’s side finished the season at the bottom of the table with just nine points.

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Chennaiyin FC 0-0 Mumbai City FC (ISL 2019-20)

Though the Marina Machans dominated, they couldn’t find a goal at home against the Islanders. Owen Coyle was hired halfway into the season and he took the side to the finals, losing to ATK.

Chennaiyin FC 1-1 Bengaluru FC (ISL 2022-23)

Post-COVID, the Marina Machans received a hero’s welcome from their fans at the Marina Arena, playing against arch-rivals Bengaluru FC in their first game of the season. Prasanth scored for CFC while Roy Krishna was on target for BFC as the points were eventually shared. 

Chennaiyin FC 1-3 Mohun Bagan (ISL 2023-24)

A Rafael Crivellaro freekick turned out to be just a consolation as Mohun Bagan ran riot against Chennaiyin FC at the Marina Arena, taking home all three points. 

Owen Coyle’s side would eventually bounce back in the second half of the season, finishing sixth and qualifying to the playoffs. This was CFC’s first playoff appearance after three seasons. 

Playing against Mohammedan SC tonight, can Chennaiyin FC overturn their Marina Arena curse? Only time will tell.

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