A late goal by Mailson Alves saw Chennaiyin FC settle with a 1-1 draw against Delhi Dynamos in their Indian Super League (ISL) game here at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium last evening.
Even though Chennaiyin continues on the top four with 24 points, but the draw only means their life in rest of the season would be even more difficult to secure semi-final spot.
Coach John Gregory was not satisfied but still happy to get a point. "One point is never enough, but I am glad we could manage the point. We are very much in the contention for the semis race."
Kalu Uche gave Delhi the lead from the spot but Alves levelled for the away side with a header.
The home side dominated the early exchanges and created a few scares in the Chennaiyin FC defense. 20-year-old Lallianzuala Chhangte was finding it easy to penetrate through the wings.
The Delhi Dynamos winger put in a couple of good balls into the opposition box for his teammates to attack.
Fifteen minutes into the game, Delhi Dynamos had a wonderful opportunity to take the lead. After passing the ball patiently in the midfield, Chhangte put in a tantalising ball into the box for Kalu Uche, but the Nigerian couldn't get his head to it.
A similar pattern of play continued for much of the first half. But just before the half-time whistle, Chennaiyin FC could have taken the lead had Gregory Nelson shown some composure in front of the goal.
The midfielder was played in by Jaime Gavilan play with just the goalkeeper to beat but he blasted his shot high.
In the second half, Kalu Uche gave the home side the lead from the spot. Just before the hour mark, the referee awarded Delhi a penalty for Raphael Augusto's foul on Mirabaje.
Delhi looked set to take all three points from the game but with just 10 minutes left on the clock Chennaiyin FC found a leveller.
Rene Mihelic's lobbed free kick was met by Mailson Alves, who rose above everyone in the box to put the ball past Delhi Dynamos goalkeeper.
With little time left on the clock, both sides tried to find a winner but there was nothing to separate the two on the night.
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