It was a clear handball by Kuruniyan, says Csaba Laszlo

The Marina Machans’ boss also pointed out the lapses in refereeing which forced him to take off Anirudh Thapa.

After an indifferent performance against Kerala Blasters in the previous matchday of the Indian Super League, Csaba Laszlo-led Chennaiyin FC took on Carles Cuardat’s Bengaluru FC. Sunil Chhetri scored the only goal of the game from the spot after substitute Edwin Vanspaul brought down Cleiton Silva in the box.

The referee found himself at the centre of attention with a number of contentious calls surrounding Ashique Kuruniyan proving decisive in the match. The BFC left-back risked getting sent off in the first half when he went in hard on Anirudh Thapa multiple times in the opening minutes, as well as breaking the defensive wall by charging the ball down from a direct free-kick.

Towards the end of the game, the Marina Machans were denied a penalty, despite the ball having struck the Bengaluru man on the arm inside the box.

The Chennaiyin FC head coach Csaba Laszlo expressed his anger at the decisions that had proved costly for his side. “Thapa’s injury? I hope it will be okay, but I am very angry. Because it looks like this player, No. 22 (Ashique) made three fouls in five minutes. It was like he just wanted to go against him. For this reason, I am angry about what happened.”

“I think also, that you can give the red card. He needed to be replaced after the third foul, but I hope that Thapa will recover.”

Despite both sides being sloppy on the ball, chances to score were few and far between, with a lack of composure in the final third costing the two teams. The Romanian manager lamented the fact that his team were unlucky not to have gotten even a point from the game.

“In the second half, I think that we were the better team. We changed the system also. But, according to me it was a clear penalty. Today was a very very unlucky day for my team and we have to accept that.”

Anirudh Thapa was taken off early in the game after he was on the receiving end of a number of crunching challenges. Speaking about his health, Csaba Laszlo said, “I have to talk to the doctor. He told me that his bone was swollen. I don’t have any understanding about the decision (which was taken) to not protect the player.”

It was yet another underwhelming performance from the CFC frontline, with the likes of Isma and Jakub Sylvestr failing to get themselves into the game.

“I think that we did a lot, but we didn’t score. Even the biggest chance from the handball from Rafa (Rafael Crivellaro), it was a clear handball but the referee did not give it. What can you do? We have to go and win the next game.”

ALSO READ: Chhetri on target as Bengaluru edge Chennaiyin in crunch clash

Chennaiyin FC take on Mumbai City FC in their next game in the ISL on Wednesday.

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