Bhubaneswar: Chennaiyin FC (CFC) became the final team to book a semifinal spot as the Super Machans defeated ISL semifinalists NorthEast United FC (NEUFC) 2-1 in their Super Cup quarterfinal game here at the Kalinga Stadium Sunday.
The Guwahati-based side took the lead in the first 10 minutes. From a corner kick played short, Lalthathanga ‘Puitea’ Khawlhring released Panagiotis Triadis, who roved towards the byline and sent in a low cross.
The ball took a minor deflection off goalkeeper CFC goalie Karanjit Singh, as Rowllin Borges on the farside tapped home from close range as Eli Sabia was caught ball-watching.
NEUFC looked threatening for the next quarter of an hour but the former ISL champions initiated a turnaround. However, it was Brazilian Mailson Alves who got the equaliser for the blue jersey boys.
Gregory Nelson passed to young Anirudh Thapa and his cross was met with an unmarked Mailson, who leapt in from his run to head the ball home past the half hour mark.
Thapa then turned scorer after Puitea lost the ball in his own half. The India international dribbled into the box, beating both Mato Grgic and the goalkeeper on the angle from his left-footed shot.
Puitea could have made amends during the first half’s injury time but his shot from inside the box went inches wide off the upright.