Atletico, Chennaiyin play out a 1-1 draw in ISL

A stoppage time penalty strike from midfielder Elano Blumer helped hosts Chennaiyin FC hold Atletico de Kolkata to a 1-1 draw in a top-of-the-table Indian Super League (ISL) clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Tuesday.

With the draw, both teams have maintained their positions at the standings, Atletico de Kolkata on top with 12 points from six matches and Chennaiyin FC second with 10 points after five matches.

It was a drama-filled match that witnessed two red cards and two penalties.

In the end, the home team would be more content to walk away with a point after being a goal and a man down from the early stage of the game and stealing an equaliser in stoppage time.

Chennai goalkeeper Shilton Paul was shown the red card on 33 minutes when he brought down opposing striker Mohammad Rafi inside the box, also conceding a penalty.

Chennai had to sacrifice striker Jean-Eudes Maurice to bring in their second-choice keeper Gennaro Bracigliano but he couldn't stop the penalty as Atletico's Spanish midfielder calmly converted from the spot to give the away team the lead.

Atletico maintained the lead at halftime. But the match underwent a dramatic shift right after the resumption of play when Atletico's Jofre was sent off after receiving his second caution of the match for diving.

Both teams were down to 10 men and with the numerical superiority of Atletico nullified, Chennaiyin stepped on the pressure, hoping to equalise.

Both teams had their fair share of chances to score but couldn't convert them.

Just when it appeared that Atletico will hold on the 1-0 lead to clinch crucial three points that would have given them a comfortable five-point lead at the top of the points table, Chennayin got a penalty.

Defender Kingshuk Debnath, under pressure from Colombian forward John Steven Valencia brought him down in the box to give away a penalty in the 90th minute.

Brazilian Elano scored with a neatly-taken penalty to restore parity and gift his team a point that could prove to be very crucial in determining the final four teams that will qualify for the semi-finals.