Day 10, Match 9

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Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, offered a slippery ground for the Southern derby to kick off after a downpour the previous day. Chennaiyin FC started their campaign with a win against FC Goa while Kerala Blasters lost to North East United FC after giving them a run for their money. Chennai missed their practice due to the weather and but managed to defeat Kerala Blasters to stand next to Atletico de Kolkata on the scoreboard.

Chennaiyin FC (2)- Kerala Blasters (1)

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Chennai's forwards, Mendoza and Balwant Singh bring pace in the game. Their defender Mendy is a key player in the back line while Kerala's defender Gurwinder, who received a yellow card, needs to understand that the defender's position does not promise ultimate access to be brutal in tackling. Balwant Singh missed a header but is a promising young Indian forward. Elano took the penalty shot and gave Chennai its lead. Kerala had many shots but a few were on target. Like FC Goa, they lack final touch. There was a lot of action on the centre circle and both the wings looked empty. Left wing was utilized only after 25th minute. Pulga is a player that easily identifies gap and acts accordingly. Kerala's Hume missed countless opportunities. Every time the ball reaches penalty area, one sees legs kicking thin air blindly hinting at lack of strategy.

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Hume finally scores an equaliser by converting Forcada's corner. Balwant is able to keep the standards going with perfect passes and deliveries. James, who plays many roles for Kerala, is a great player, indeed but Chennai's second goal hinted that he might be overburdened by the responsibilities. He let the ball pass him so easily that it looked that he has weak reflexes and instincts. He got back in the game shortly afterwards! By stopping the indirect free kick, Chennai proved that they are the defending champions in the League. Hume raised his game in the second half and Abhishek Das played well. Chennai's Bernard Mendy was Hero of the Match.

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Our player of the match is the Colombian forward, John Stiven Mendoza Valencia. The young forward played brilliantly as a forward and later in the first half played dual role of a forward and a winger, bringing action in the otherwise dead left wing.