Chennaiyin FC wrapped up their underwhelming Indian Super League (ISL) season on a high note, securing a 5-2 victory over playoff-bound Jamshedpur FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
The hosts, who have struggled throughout the campaign, found form in their final match with Irfan Yadwad and Daniel Chima Chukwu both netting braces, while Lukas Brambilla also got on the scoresheet. Jamshedpur’s Rei Tachikawa and Mohammed Sanan managed to pull goals back, but Chennaiyin’s attacking firepower proved too much on the night.
Chennaiyin started brightly, with Brambilla testing Jamshedpur goalkeeper Albino Gomes early on. However, it was the visitors who struck first in the 18th minute. A long throw from Muhammed Uvais led to a clearance that fell to Tachikawa, who fired a half-volley from outside the box. A deflection off Elsinho wrong-footed Chennaiyin’s keeper Samik Mitra, giving Jamshedpur the lead.
The home side responded swiftly. Brambilla played a key role in the equalizer, setting up Farukh Choudhary on a counterattack. A failed clearance by Uvais fell to Chukwu, who made no mistake in slotting the ball into the bottom left corner, leveling the score at 1-1.
As Chennaiyin pushed forward, Brambilla nearly put them ahead but was denied by a brilliant last-ditch block from Stephen Eze. Jamshedpur nearly regained the lead when Sanan’s shot was heroically cleared off the line by Elsinho.
Just before halftime, Brambilla produced a moment of magic, weaving his way into the box and curling a perfect shot into the far corner, sending Chennaiyin into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Chennaiyin extended their advantage in the 57th minute when Farukh Choudhary played a well-weighted through ball to Irfan Yadwad. The 23-year-old calmly slotted the ball through Gomes’ legs to make it 3-1.
Jamshedpur, however, refused to go down without a fight. Substitutes Jordan Murray and Irfan Khan combined on the right flank to set up Tachikawa, who cut the ball back for Sanan to fire home in the 60th minute, reducing the deficit to 3-2.
The visitors pressed hard for an equalizer, forcing Mitra into two strong saves, but Chennaiyin held firm. In the 89th minute, Irfan secured his brace with a clever scoop past Gomes after receiving a pass from Wilmar Jordan Gil, restoring the two-goal cushion.
Six minutes into stoppage time, Chukwu sealed the emphatic win with a composed finish after latching onto a pinpoint through ball from Brambilla, capping off Chennaiyin’s best attacking display of the season.
Despite the resounding victory, Chennaiyin FC finished 11th in the standings, marking another disappointing campaign. Meanwhile, Jamshedpur FC, already assured of a playoff spot, ended the regular season in fifth place.
For Chennaiyin, this final flourish may offer a glimpse of promise, but significant improvements will be needed if they hope to challenge for the top spots next season.
