[WATCH] Chennaiyin FC's Gurkirat Singh scores screamer against Churchill in Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy 2024

After his arrival, the winger has hit the ground running with the Marina Machans.

Gurkirat Singh opened his account with a sensational strike for Chennaiyin FC as they eased past Churchill Brothers in a 4-1 victory at the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy 2024 on Sunday. The young attacker has shown his caliber once again after his breakthrough heroics in the 2022 SAFF U-20 Championship where he finished as the tournament’s most valuable player and top scorer (with eight goals). 

Only 21 years of age, Gurkirat moved to Chennaiyin FC seeking to sharpen his skills and temper his game sense under Owen Coyle, following in the footsteps of former Mumbai City FC teammate Lallianzuala Chhangte. While the Mizo Flash went the opposite way, the Chandigarh speedster came to the Southern side with a breakout season in mind. 

After missing out on the Durand Cup, the Marina Machans’ journey in the second edition of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy 2024 has seen him get much-needed game time alongside the other stars. Chennaiyin FC began the game on the front footing as Elson Dias capitalized on a skewed clearance from Conor Shields’ corner delivery, letting his predatory instincts guide the ball goalwards. 

However, the Red Machines were quick to retaliate as Lesly Rebello, Stendly Fernandes, and Kilane Diamande combined with the latter scoring the equaliser to restore parity. Shields turned provider once again as Wilmar Jordan met his cross in the 32nd minute to give Chennaiyin the lead once again.

At the brink of halftime, it was Gurkirat’s turn to shine. Laldinpuia raced to the byline and wiggled past three Churchill players before hanging it high in the box. Gurkirat caught the aerial ball expertly with his right foot blasting it into the top corner in a way reminiscent of Zinedine Zidane’s famous volley. 

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Chennaiyin continued with their onslaught, bringing on Vincy Barretto and Irfan Yadwad at the hour mark, and injecting fresh energy into their wings. The substitutes combined minutes later with Yadwad eventually racing to tap in Barretto’s low cross and putting the final nail in the coffin. 

Owen Coyle’s men only had to see out the final efforts from Churchill Brothers who kept trying to pull one back and crawl back into the game. However, the Indian Super League side shored up its ranks too well for the I-League outfit to be able to penetrate it as the Marina Machans walked away with a victory.

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