I-League: Chennai City ride on Sandro Rodriguez brace to beat Aizawl 2-1

Sandro Rodriguez scored a wonderful brace as Chennai City defeated former league champions Aizawl FC 2-1 at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on Friday.

Ansumana Kromah made it level for the home team in the 72^nd minute after Sandro had put Chennai ahead in the 49^th. But five minutes after Aizawl scored, the Spanish striker headed home to make it a fourth win in five matches for Chennai City.

They remain on top of the table unbeaten and on 13 points, while Aizawl are at the bottom with just two points after five matches.

.@ChennaiCityFC further secures their lead, riding Sandro’s brace, as the @ILeagueOfficial toppers after defeating @AizawlFC 1-2.#AFCCCFC #HeroILeague #ILeagueIConquer pic.twitter.com/ygbWhjbviz

— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) November 16, 2018

Continuing with the rich form that has seen them remain atop with a seven points difference from the second placed East Bengal, Chennai City started better and nearly scored through Sandro in the 18^th minute but his shot from the edge of the penalty box missed the target by a whisker.

The visitors created better chances but were let down by poor finish even as Aizawl failed to come anywhere close to finding the net.

But step into the second half and Chennai looked a different team altogether and took the lead just four minutes into play. Sandro found the top-left corner of the net from a wonderful free-kick leaving the home fans stunned as Chennai took a 1-0 lead.

But backed by a vociferous home crowd, Gift Raikhan’s boys bounced back with aplomb when Kromah equalised.

Lalkhawpuimawia came the closest for the home team but his header flew just over the bar in the 70th minute. It though was just the beginning of Aizawl’s relentless attack and two minutes later they pulled the goal back.

Isak Vanlalruatfela found Leonce Dodoz with a cross, whose shot towards goal was parried away by Chennai goalkeeper Kabir Thaufiq but Kromah scored from the rebound.

However, their joy was short-lived as Sandro restored Chennai’s lead just five minutes later. Alexander Jesuraj ran himself in space on the right flank before delivering a perfect cross from Sandro to head his third goal of this I-League season and clinch all three points for the away side.