ISL 2020-21: Steinmann brace earns SC East Bengal draw with Chennaiyin

ISL 2020: Matti Steinmann's brace powered SC East Bengal to a 2-2 draw with Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL 2020-21) on Saturday.

SC East Bengal midfielder Matti Steinmann's brace against Chennaiyin FC saw him become the second German player to score in the ISL.

A brilliant brace from Matti Steinmann allowed SC East Bengal (SCEB) to come back from behind twice to salvage a 2-2 draw against Chennaiyin FC (CFC) in the Boxing Day match of the Indian Super League (ISL 2020-21) at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Saturday.

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CFC will yet again rue its poor defending from set-pieces as it squandering the lead twice from corners. The former champion also failed to finish its chances, especially in the final ten minutes with Jakub Sylvestr missing some easy opportunities against the open goal.

1- @ChennaiyinFC's Jakub Sylvestr is the only player to have taken a minimum 15 shots in this season of @IndSuperLeague & register just 1 goal. He has missed 5 big chances. Aridane Santana & @NValskis have 4 & 6 goals respectively from 15 shots. Contrasting. #SCEBCFC#HeroISL

— OptaJeev (@OptaJeev) December 26, 2020

 

In the 13th minute, Sylvestr lobbed one from centre-line to release an unmarked Lallianzuala Chhangte. The pacy winger then used his speed to produce a strong run on the left side and shot through the pursuing defender and 'keeper to put CFC ahead.

It was Chhangte’s first goal of the season and a much-needed one for the Indian who has squandered more than half a dozen chances so far this campaign. 

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SCEB’s best chance came in the 38th minute when Mohammed Rafique received a ball over the CFC defenders and dodged the 'keeper to get into an open goal position. However, Deepak Tangri produced a sliding clearance from behind as Rafique delayed taking his shot to steady himself.  

Robbie Fowler's SCEB looked the better team in the second half, pressing ahead as it piled the pressure on the CFC defence.

In the 59th minute, Steinmann, who was unmarked, headed in a corner from Bikash Jairu to equalise. He became the second German to score in the ISL since Manuel Friedrich did so in 2014.

CFC pulled ahead once again five minutes later when Rahim Ali scored after starting a good run on the left side. The 20-year-old combined well with Rafael Crivellaro and Sylvestr, who gave the final assist to the Indian striker.

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But Csaba Laszlo's men surrendered the lead yet again from a set-piece when goalkeeper Vishal Kaith failed to collect a header from Daniel Fox with the ball falling in front of Steinmann, who drilled it in without trouble.

The draw sees both clubs move up a spot as CFC climbed to seventh and SCEB occupied the 10th spot.