ISL 2019-20: Chennaiyin FC Vs ATK Live Commentary

0-1

                                          48' David Williams 

 

Read match report here: Chennaiyin Vs ATK: David Williams’ strike seals points for visitors

Read Indian Players' Ratings: Chennaiyin Vs ATK Ratings: Arindam, Prabir impress for Kolkata outfit

Read Chennaiyin FC's post-match press conference here: John Gregory: It’s extremely frustrating, can’t fault the players’ attitude

Read ATK's post-match press-conference here: Antonio Habas: Our team was tired in the second half

The goal from David Williams proved to be the difference between Chennaiyin FC and ATK as the visitors held on to secure a deserved three points on the road. It wasn't smooth sailing for ATK unlike last time but they had to work hard to get the goal and then put in a good defensive shift to deny Chennaiyin the goal that they so crave for. Habas will be happy with the performance of his lads, especially the defenders who were resilient and put in a brilliant performance with the notable examples of Prabir Das who once again shone on the right flank.  ATK are atop the Hero ISL standings with 6 points from their opening three games and it can't be denied that they are deserved to be there with the way they've played so far. As for Chennaiyin they only have a point to show for all their efforts. The teams played well but ultimately couldn't pull it back and face a long way to get themselves back onto the playoffs spot that they so crave.  FULL-TIME AT CHENNAI!! ATK HOLD ON!! 90+5' Opening for ATK as Roy Krishna rushes towards a ball from Williams but Kaith comes off his line to clear the ball away. 90+4' It's getting a bit heated up here in Chennai as the referee the first yellow card of the game to Valskis for bringing down Garcia down in the ATK half. 90+2' Chennaiyin come forward as the fans edge them on. It's now or never. 89' Another precarious situation for ATK as Arindam punches a corner clear which looped in dangerously and the rebound richochets off the defensive muddle to go out of play. Five minutes of added time we hear. Gasping at straws here are Chennaiyin as ATK looks to secure another three points. 87' Chennaiyin get another free-kick near the ATK box as Garcia fouls Crivellaro. 85' Edu Garcia gets in at goal but scuppers his cross as it evades Roy Krishna and goes out for a throw-in. We are in the last-ditch salon now, anything in for Chennaiyin, anything out for ATK. It's that close! 82' Into the final minutes with Chennaiyin fighting hard but the goal still remains elusive. ATK, on the other hand, are putting in a good defensive shift and staving off potential chances at their goal from Chennaiyin. 80' ATK make their final change as Pronay Halder makes way for Sehnaj Singh. 74' Save from Arindam. Chennaiyin have another chance but a shot from Crivellaro deflected off the defender leaving Arindam to dive uncomfortably to stop that from being a goal. 73' ATK make their second change with Javier giving way to Edu Garcia 72' There was possibly the best chance of the game. A mishap in the defence put Andre Schembri through on goal but he could only spurn the chance by putting the shot wide of the goal. 70' Thapa is brought down in the middle as Chennaiyin win another free-kick. Crivellaro will look to float this one into the box 68' The visitors are forced into a change as the injured Soosairaj makes way for Jayesh Rane 65' Soosairaj goes down on the right with the ATK medical staff rushing to his aide. It doesn't look good for the local lad as he is being stretchered off. Sad to see him go down like this. 63' Valskis tries to curl one around the keeper but puts the shot wide. Encouraging signs from Gregory's men. The fans have found their voice here in Chennai. 61' Oohh!! Chennaiyin are coming closer and closer at the goal of ATK and have two close chances in the last 60 seconds with a brilliant long-range effort from Vanspaul and then a clearance near the keeper from a low cross on the left from Chhangte. 60' It's safety first for ATK as they clear off a long and uncomfortable throw from Tondonba on the left 58' It's a substitution as the home side make the first change of the game with Schembri coming on for Dragos  56' Williams has a shot from distance but the shot is straight at Kaith who nestles it in his bosom 55' Free kick for Chennaiyin on the left flank but Thapa sends it cleanly into Arindam's hands 53' Dragos is down on the pitch but good news for Chennai as it is nothing fatal with the player back on his feet. 52' The visitors have gained confidence from their first goal and there is a spring in their step as Chennaiyin struggle to get a hold on the game. ATK have come all guns blazing in the second half. 48' 1-0 ATK!!! The visitors draw first blood as David Williams has a simple tap-in at goal. Quality play from the two-time champions. 46' Second half begins in Chennai! Half-time here in Chennai as both teams go into the dugout with the game still at 0-0. That half had everything in it apart from that shot that bulges the back of the net. Chennaiyin started strongly with a couple of chances at Arindam's goal but it became a game of fire and ice as the half wore on. Chennaiyin coach Gregory will be happy with his defensive performance but worry lines still exist on his forehead as his side are yet to find the back of the net. Expect another riveting half as the teams will look to break the deadlock.  And that is that for the first half at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai as both teams still look for the opening goal. 45' Chennaiyin win a corner on the right hand side as the referee indicates a minute of added time 42' Vanspaul is brought down by McHugh outside the ATK box as Chennaiyin win a free-kick in the opposition half. Crivellaro stands over it. 40' As the game labours on towards the end of the first half both teams look to play out the remaining minutes of what has been a topsy-turvy first half 38' A fabulous ball in from Roy Krishna but the offside flag is up as Gonzalez is through on goal 35' Both teams are struggling to keep possession in midfield which is probably the reason we are witnessing plenty of long balls today. Perhaps another long ball should be Williams' effort on goal which ended up in the stands. 33' It has been a story of two resolute defences and a couple of half-chances as the first half bolts towards an end. But could either of the team get an opener? 32' A shot from Roy Krishna deflects of Goian to give ATK another corner 29' Crivellaro comes close on goal but puts the shot way wide of the goal. Perhaps he was looking for a cross to the far end 27' David Williams is down on the pitch and being tended to by ATK medical staff as both teams refresh and reinvigorate their plans. Phew! the first half of the game has passed in a blur. 26' The skipper of ATK looks to take matters into his hands but ends up shooting way over Kaith's goal 24' The ball goes back and forth as ATK move up with speed but to no avail including a shout for handball in the Chennaiyin box. Chennaiyin hit on the counter but Chhangte's cross is easily cleared off 22' Both teams looks more settled in the game and look solid in defence. ATK occasionally look to drift into 5 at the back. 19' A nasty collision between Ganesh and Gonzalez leads to both down on the floor and needing medical attention 16' Chhangte has been Chennaiyin's best player so far and takes a swipe at goal but shoots it straight into the hands of Arindam 15' ATK have a player down but the muffled shouts of a penalty are rejected by the referee 13' ATK get their first big chance of the game with a cross from the left from Javier but Prabir Das is unable to get his head on it as Chennaiyin clear their lines once again 12' Chennaiyin look more incisive on goal in these opening moments as Chhangte drifts in another pass but is easy enough for Kotal to clear 10' ATK win a free-kick on the left flank as Vanspaul brings Williams down. 8' How did that not go in? Chennaiyin look more probing on goal and that had the opening goal written all over it but both Valskis and Dragos fluff their lines from a wonderful pass from Chhangte. Not too long before we get the opening goal it seems. 7' It's a game moving forwards and backwards as both look good on the attack 6' ATK win the first corner of the game from an attack on the right 3' Close that one! Valskis gets his head on a cross from Edwin Vanspaul but should have been doing better than placing it over the bar 2' ATK look robust on the attack and have won a couple of fouls early on in the game 7:30 pm: It's time for kickoff and it will be the men from the City of Joy who will start us off today. 7:27 pm: Both teams are out as kick-off beckons. 7:23 pm: The players are out for the two teams. ATK go in with their home kit of Red and white and Chennaiyin following suit with their blue strip. Both teams get ready for the National Anthem. 7:21 pm: Both teams have gone in with a change apiece with Chennaiyin bringing in Valskis for Schembri and ATK going with Pronay Halder instead of Jayesh Rane. 7:18 pm: The heavens have opened up here in Chennai as kick-off approaches as the drops platter down and by the looks of it, it doesn't look like it's going to subside for quite some time. But that hasn't dampened the spirits of the Supermachans who have turned up in full voice to support the home side 7:10 pm: After the first game against Goa, Chennaiyin put in a polished performance in defence against Mumbai City FC. But the back 4 led by captain Lucian Goian today could be in for probably their toughest test so far against an ATK side who seem to be creating chances at will. The battle between the defence and the frontline of ATK led by David Williams and Roy Krishna proves to be one you cannot miss. 7:05 pm: The last two games between these two sides at Chennai have been high-scoring ones with both ending in a 3-2 result with the three points going either way. Let's hope this turns out to be another entertaining encounter like Chennaiyin coach Gregory mentioned in his pre-match press conference. 7:00 pm: The crowd in Chennai give a rousing welcome to Tamil Nadu lad Michael Soosairaj as his name is announced on the PA. 6:58 pm: The visitors have started strongly this season and will be buoyed by their massive win against Hyderabad last time out. The home side, on the other hand, will look to a leaf out of the visitors' book by looking to score today. 6.45 pm: The starting line-ups will be out soon ATK: Arindam (GK), Pritam Kotal (C), Agustin, Anas, Prabir, McHugh, Halder, Hernandez, Williams, Roy, Soosairaj Substitutes: Dheeraj Singh, Ankit Mukherjee, John Johnson, Sehnaj Singh, Balwant Singh, Edu Garcia, Jayesh Rane Chennaiyin FC: Kaith (GK), Tondonba, Goian (C), Sabia, Edwin, D Ganesh, Thapa, Crivellaro, Chhangte, Firtulescu, Valskis Substitutes: Karanjit Singh, Jerry Lalrinzuala, Masih Saighani, Germanpreet Singh, Thoi Singh, Andre Schembri, Rahim Ali Welcome to ISL 2019-20 Chennaiyin FC vs ATK live commentary of Khel Now, where we will bring you all the live action from the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.

Chennaiyin FC Vs ATK Kick-Off: 7:30 PM IST

To read the match preview, click here.

To read the pre-match press conferences, click here and here.

Antonio Habas appreciates the commitment of the squad

“Physically, we are about 75-80% there. We have been playing well and I am happy with the performances of the team so far. I think the precision and the effort from the players has been fantastic,” said Habas on his team’s fitness levels.

John Gregory insists that the scoreline does not matter as far as they win the game

“For me, I’m more happy with the three points tomorrow. Vishal and the defenders will look to keep a clean-sheet. If we keep a clean-sheet and win the game 1-0, that is enough for me because we naturally haven’t had very high-scoring games here. I want it to be exciting and enjoyable. As long as we are a goal ahead of our opponents, be it 7-6 or 1-0, I don’t care, as long we get the three points,” John Gregory quipped.