Chennaiyin FC suffered a huge blow during its ISL 2020-21 match against Bengaluru FC at the GMC Stadium in Bambolim on Friday as central midfielder Anirudh Thapa was injured and had to be substituted in the 16th minute.
Bengaluru FC winger Ashique Kuruniyan clattered into Thapa very early into the game. A few moments later, Thapa was caught on the follow through by the same player as he went down again in pain. He seemed good to continue before eventually signalling to the bench to take him off.
FOLLOW LIVE |
"I have to talk to the doctor. It looks really bad. I don't understand how the referees don't protect the players [for such tackles]," Chennaiyin coach Csaba Laszlo said in the post match press conference.
The extent of the 22-year-old's injury is still unknown and Laszlo will be sweating over the fitness of one of his most important players.
Bengaluru and India national team skipper Sunil Chhetri hoped it wasn't a serious injury concern for the youngster. "I asked him during the game and he said he had twisted his ankle. Him not playing majority of the game helped us but I am fond of him and I hope nothing major has happened to him because he is very important for the country," said Chhetri.
Thapa became the first Indian goal scorer of the 2020-21 Indian Super League when he found the back of the net against Jamshedpur FC earlier this edition. If he is out for long, it will be a big disadvantage for the Marina Machans.
Comments
SHARE