Rohmingthanga scores brace for Chennaiyin FC B in 3-3 draw with South United FC

Striker Bawlte Rohmingthanga scored a quick-fire brace in Chennaiyin FC B's 3-3 draw with Bengaluru’s South United FC in its first home game of the 2018-19 2nd Division League at the SSN College Ground

Chennaiyin FC 'B''s starting XI against South United FC.

Chennaiyin FC B drew 3-3 with Bengaluru’s South United FC in its first home game of the 2018-19 2nd Division League at the SSN College Ground here on Saturday. Mizo striker Bawlte Rohmingthanga scored a quick-fire brace for CFC in the first half after Krishna Pandit had given the visitor the lead. SUFC, however, fought back and equalised in the closing stages, with Cletus Paul scoring a double for South United.

CFC B made five changes to the side that played out a goalless draw against Kerala Blasters Reserves in its previous game. The injured Saurabh Meher was replaced by Mohammed Sarif Khan in defence with Ajin Tom coming in for Hendry Antonay at right back. Joysana Singh started on the left flank instead of Bedashwor Singh while new boys Kyntiewshaphrang Kharlukhi and Krishna Pandit made their first start for CFC B in place of Zonunmawia and Syed Suhail Pasha.

Chennaiyin enjoyed more of the possession in the opening stages and took the lead in the eleventh minute. The ball fell to Rohmingthanga fortuitously inside the box, who laid it up for strike partner Krishna Pandit, who fired a snap-shot into the back of the net.

1-0 became 3-0 in no time, as Rohmingthanga scored a brace in as many minutes. His first came from a header into the top corner from a delightful Joysana cross from the left. There was no respite for SUFC, as a minute later Krishna was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Rohmingthanga stepped up and fired the penalty low to the keeper’s left to make it 3-0.

Six minutes later, SUFC pulled one back through Sudipta Malakar, who turned in a cut-back from the right flank.

South United, then, made it 3-2 in the second half with almost a quarter of the game to go, with Cletus Paul converting from the spot after Aaron D’Costa was brought down in the box. SUFC was reduced to ten men after Amit Tudu was sent off for a second bookable offence.

South United continued to attack and scored the equaliser in the last minute of regulation time, with Cletus Paul again the scorer.

Chennaiyin FC B takes on another team from Bengaluru in the form of Ozone FC in its next match on Tuesday at the SSN College Ground at 3:30 PM.