Chennaiyin FC are only a point away from qualification to the play-offs after they blanked Mumbai City FC 3-0 in their Hero Indian Super league clash here on Tuesday.
Knowing that they had the best chance of qualifying among the four teams battling for a place in the semi-finals, Chennaiyin FC dominated from start to finish and scored all three goals in the first session through Stiven Mendoza (9th minute), Jeje lalpekhlua (17th minute) and Bernard Mendy (45th minute).
The win puts Chennaiyin FC in an advantageous position to qualify for the semifinals. Placed fourth at the moment with 19 points from 13 matches, Chennaiyin FC will qualify with a draw against FC Pune City in their last match, unless NorthEast United score victory by a record margin in their concluding league clash, also against FC Pune City.
The home team adjusted quickly to the rainy surface. The hosts took the lead in the ninth minute itself when a brilliant through ball from Zakeer Mundampara was finished off by Mendoza.
Chennaiyin made it 2-0 in the 17th minute with Thoi Singh doing some brilliant work to flick a Dhanachandra Singh cross from the right to Jeje and then calmly lifted the ball over the goalkeeper.
Mumbai’ hopes of a comeback were effectively killed in the first session as Mendy made it 3-0 in added time.