John Stiven Mendoza Valencia scored a second half equaliser to help Chennayin FC eke out a 1-1 draw against FC Pune City in a Indian Super league match and maintain their supremacy atop the points table, here Tuesday.
Valencia scored the equaliser in the 58th minute for Chennayin FC after Pune took the lead in the ninth minute through Greek World Cupper Kostas Katsouranis.
By virtue of this Chennaiyin FC have managed to keep Pune at bay from top spot. ATK and Chennaiyin are now top with 12 points.
The Chennai outfit continues to hold on to the top spot at the halfway stage of the tournament with 12 points from seven games, while Pune, is lying a close second with 11 points.
Pune, who made a remarkable comeback in the league after a jittery start, took the lead in the ninth minute through Katsouranis’ spectacular finish.But to the dismay of the visitors, league’s top-scorer and Chennaiyin’s marquee player Elano Blummer missed the golden chance. The Brazilian, who had so far scored eight goals in the ISl, drove the penalty wide of the right pole.
Chennayin FC had the better share of chances in the first half and was once again denied by the wood work when a beautifully taken free kick by Elano hit the cross bar.
After many attempts on goal, Valencia finally managed to score the equaliser for Chennayin. Balwant provided him with a perfect pass into the box and the striker finished the move calmly and stylishly to bring the visitors on level terms.