Chennai Customs staged a stirring second-half comeback to see off FCI 3-1 in the St. Joseph’s-CFA senior division league here on Thursday.
Customs were so disjointed and uninspired in the first 45 minutes that a shock win for FCI looked a likelier outcome. But their spirit and self-belief earned them a crucial win and a place at the top of the table.
FCI had the match under control until the break, only to lose the plot as a result of their ultra-cautious approach. They went into a shell to protect the slenderest of leads and paid the price. Against a team of Customs class, it was never going to be easy to play defensive football for an entire half.
Customs missed their customary fluency in the first half. FCI centre-back Charles Anandaraj drew a fine save from Customs goalkeeper Arun Pradeep with a curling free-kick from just outside the box. At the other end, Suresh tipped Customs midfielder K. Sathish’s dipping long-range effort over the bar expertly. FCI grew in confidence as the match wore on. Charles, a makeshift stopper, was dynamic and effective in his new role.
FCI right-winger Saravana Kumar broke the deadlock in the 28th minute with a composed finish. Midfielder Nirmal Durai was the architect of the goal as he bisected Customs centre-halves with a perfect through ball. Saravana Kumar, FCI’s best player this season by a country mile, finished the job with aplomb after rounding Arun Pradeep.
Customs, stunned as they were by the setback, failed to settle into a rhythm. They suffered another blow when their midfield mainstay, P. Sudhakar, hobbled off in the final minutes of the first half. The substitute, Sasi Kumar, is a hard worker but hardly a peer to Sudhakar in creativity.
M. Ramesh sparked Customs comeback with an emphatic finish by the hour mark. Ramesh would remember the strike forever because it was his first goal after he tied the knot on March 19.
The final pass had come from Sathish, who stood out with his tireless running and commitment throughout the match.
There was a spring in the step of Customs after the equaliser. One could sense that a lead was imminent. Jayakumar put Customs ahead after a marauding run on the left flank and a majestic left-footed strike. The writing was on the wall for FCI.
Sathish capped his memorable evening by getting into the score sheet three minutes from time. His finish — after a flowing move on the left — was so resounding that it, fittingly, became the final piece of action in an intriguing drama.
Customs coach Grand Duraipandian can now celebrate his birthday on Friday with gusto. “I never lost hope. Sathish’s goal was special as it came after 19 touches,” Grand said.
Goalkeeper Arun Pradeep dedicated the win to birthday man Grand and newly-wed Ramesh.
Results: Senior division: Customs 3 (Ramesh 63, Jayakumar 66, Sathish 87) bt FCI 1 (Saravana Kumar 28). MoM: Sathish.
First division: DBYC (Broadway) 3 (Mohan, Gerard, Rajkumar) bt DB Annai Youth 0.
Action today: Senior division: Chennai FC vs ICF (5 pm).