ISL 2024-25: Farukh nets brace as Chennaiyin opens campaign with a 3-2 win over Odisha

Chennaiyin will now look to extend its good start to the season in its first home game against newly-promoted Mohammedan SC on September 26.

Chennaiyin FC players celebrate after the third goal against Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. | Photo Credit: Biswaranjan Rout/The Hindu

Strikes by Farukh Choudhary and Daniel Chima Chukwu helped Chennaiyin FC halt the long unbeaten streak at home of Odisha FC with a come-from-behind 3-2 win in an Indian Super League match here on Saturday.

Chennaiyin broke Odisha FC’s 569-day run at home, courtesy a brace from Farukh (48th, 51st) and a powerful strike from Chima (69th).

An electrifying start at the Kalinga Stadium saw Samik Mitra deny the host side with an early save.

Soon, Farukh’s appeal for a spot-kick was disallowed by the referee, who subsequently pointed to the spot at the other end when Hugo Boumous went down under a challenge from Samik.

Diego Mauricio scored from the spot to give Odisha the lead.

Chennaiyin, however, responded strongly. First, Connor Shields saw an effort blocked midway through the half before Farukh shot wide from close range.

The Marina Machans were rewarded for their persistence in the second half when Farukh tapped home the equaliser from close range. He was left with the easiest of tasks after Shields burst into the box and laid the ball on a plate for the attacker.

The 27-year-old soon put Chennaiyin ahead when the 27-year-old intercepted a wayward pass from Amrinder and squeezed the ball in through Ahmed Jahouh’s legs.

Sixty-nine minutes in, barraging into the box, right-back Laldinliana Renthlei crossed the ball for Chima, who slammed a thunderous volley home on the half-turn.

Roy Krishna pulled one back for Odisha in stoppage time, but Chennaiyin held on for maximum points.

Chennaiyin will now look to extend their good start to the season in their first home game against newly-promoted Mohammedan SC on September 26. Meanwhile, Odisha will travel to New Delhi to face Punjab FC on September 20.