CHENNAI, Nov 11: A spirited North East United came back from behind to edge past Chennaiyin FC 2-1 in a closely contested Indian Super League football match here today.
This was Chennaiyin�s third home loss at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to dim their semifinal hopes after being undone in their second encounter against North East United.
Chennaiyin though started on the right foot as Elano helped take the lead for the hosts in the 33rd minute. North East�s Cameroonian defender Andre Bikey headed a cross away from the penalty area, but the ball fell nicely at the feet of Elano.
The Brazilian great though still had to do the hard work to get his shot away on target and the skipper sent a superb volley down the bottom left. North East goalkeeper Rehenesh had no chance as the strike was destined for the back of the net.
North East soon equalised matters after 11 minutes as the game saw a howler from Chennaiyin goalkeeper Edel Apoula and Diomansy Kamara scored off a rebound.
The teams headed into half-time locked at 1-1. It was the second change for North East that made it count as Portuguese midfielder Silas, who came in for Simao, gave the visitors the winning strike in the 72nd minute.
The win has made the visitors jump to fifth position and are behind Atletico de Kolkata only on goal difference. � PTI
