Chennaiyin FC clinched a resounding 3-1 victory over Hyderabad FC in the highly anticipated Durand Cup southern derby held on Thursday, August 10. This win positioned Chennaiyin at the pinnacle of Group E. The scoring saga began with Hyderabad captain, Chinglensana Singh, expertly converting a penalty in the 4th minute. However, the tide soon turned as Chennaiyin's goals followed: an unfortunate own goal from Hyderabad's Alex Saji (6'), a stellar finish by Connor Shields (15′) and a decisive strike by Jordan Murray (46′).
The match, conducted with fervor, witnessed both teams showcasing their strategic formations. Hyderabad's coach, Thangboi Singto, employed a 3-5-2 lineup, while Owen Coyle of Chennaiyin opted for a 4-3-3 formation for their inaugural game of the tournament.
Hyderabad had a promising start, bagging an early corner and earning a penalty when Jitheshwor Singh fouled Hitesh Sharma. But the momentum shifted when a cross from Farukh Choudhary was inadvertently deflected into the net by Hyderabad's Alex. The nervousness of the defenses became evident with several mistakes being made, including a wayward pass by Hyderabad's goalkeeper, Anuj Kumar. This was capitalized by Chennaiyin, leading to their second goal.
The "Marina Machans" maintained their offensive, seeking opportunities at every juncture. Their persistent efforts bore fruit, with Jordan Murray sealing their third goal early in the second half.
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