Chennaiyin FC began their Indian Super League campaign with a disappointing 0-1 defeat to Mumbai City FC at the Mumbai Football Arena on Thursday, with an own goal proving decisive in an otherwise cagey contest.
In a season-opener that lacked rhythm and attacking sharpness, both sides struggled to find fluency for much of the evening. The first half was marked by misplaced passes, broken passages of play and long-range attempts that rarely tested the goalkeepers. While Mumbai City enjoyed more of the ball, Chennaiyin’s defensive structure kept the hosts at bay.
The breakthrough came shortly after the interval. In the 49th minute, a routine delivery into the box led to an unfortunate moment for Chennaiyin co-captain Pritam Kotal. Unchallenged and under little pressure, the defender attempted to deal with the cross but inadvertently diverted the ball into his own net. Joni Kauko was credited with the assist, though fortune clearly favoured the home side.
The goal shifted the tempo of the match. Chennaiyin responded with greater urgency, pushing bodies forward in search of an equaliser. Their approach became more direct, and they applied sustained pressure in the final stages. Mumbai City, however, held firm, absorbing the late surge and managing the closing minutes effectively to secure all three points.
Despite the victory, Mumbai City were far from clinical. They struggled to unlock Chennaiyin’s defence through structured attacking moves and created few clear-cut opportunities from open play. The decisive moment came not from inventive build-up but from a defensive lapse.
For Chennaiyin, the result will be frustrating, particularly given how resolutely they defended for most of the match. A single error ultimately separated the sides in a contest that offered limited attacking quality.
As opening fixtures go, it was a reminder that early-season matches can often hinge on fine margins. On this occasion, Mumbai City capitalised on one such moment to begin their campaign on a positive note, while Chennaiyin were left to reflect on what might have been.
