Indian Football: India climbs two places in FIFA rankings, Chennai City FC triumph over Bengaluru FC in the battle of champions, East Bengal transfer rumors

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Welcome to another edition of the Indian football news roundup. Today, we will talk about India’s latest FIFA rankings, Chennai City FC’s triumph over Bengaluru FC in the Super Cup, and a couple of East Bengal transfer rumors.

In case you missed out on the previous editions of the Indian football news roundup, you can check it out here.

FIFA Rankings: India climb two places in the latest update

India are still ranked 18th in Asia, however.
India are still ranked 18th in Asia, however.

India has climbed to the 101st spot in the latest update of FIFA rankings despite not playing a single match in the FIFA international window. In case you don’t know, India fell down six places in the FIFA rankings to the 103rd spot after they bowed out in the group stages of the AFC Asian Cup.

It was expected that India would plummet further but it has helped their fortunes. This happened because countries ranked just higher than India lost their matches and dropped crucial points. Had India been active in the international window and won a couple of matches, they would have even surged their way inside the top 100 once more.

Super Cup 2019: Chennai City FC triumph over Bengaluru FC in the clash of the champions

Chennai City FC triumphed over Bengaluru FC in what was billed as the clash of champions in their Super Cup encounter at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. As a result, the I-League champions became the first team to reach the semi-finals and remain the only I-League team in contention to win the title.

Chennai City FC took the lead in the 15th minute itself when Nestor Gordillo latched on to a long ball from Tarif Akhand down the left wing after Rahul Bheke and Juanan failed to read the delivery. The Spaniard cut through them and had a look at the goal before burying his shot past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to draw first blood.

Bengaluru FC were lucky not to be reduced to ten men in the 35th minute when Harmanjot Singh Khabra stamped Chennai City FC goalkeeper Mauro Boerchio straight into his shin. The referee had his vision blocked and couldn’t notice the challenge clearly. Hence, only a yellow card was dished out to him.

Bengaluru FC had plenty of chances to equalize in the first half but their best chance came seven minutes after the game restarted when Alexander Romario Jesuraj brought down Sunil Chhetri inside the penalty box. The captain stepped up to take the spot kick but Mauro Boerchio guessed it right and produced a fantabulous save to deny the equalizer.

Riding on the confidence of the saved penalty, Chennai City FC doubled the lead just two minutes later thanks to their top goalscorer Pedro Manzi. Sandro Rodriguez found his Spanish teammate on the counter and Pedro reposed his faith by nestling the ball into the back of the net from just outside the box.

Bengaluru FC did reduce the deficit in the 64th minute when an unmarked Sunil Chhetri nodded in Dimas Delgado’s corner-kick. However, it proved to be too little too late as the full-time scoreline read 2-1. Chennai City FC will next face Jamshedpur FC or FC Goa in the semi-finals.

East Bengal Transfer Rumors: Club looking to rope in Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem; Lalramchullova on his way to Chennaiyin FC; Brandon Vanlalremdika signs a two-year extension

After losing Jobby Justin to ATK, East Bengal might lose another star Indian player as former ISL champions Chennaiyin FC has set their eyes on Lalramchullova. The club needs a good left back for their AFC Cup campaign as both Jerry Lalrinzuala and Tondonba Singh have been below par for them this season.

However, the East Bengal fans should not worry about missing the services of Brandon Vanlalremdika as the former Aizawl FC player has signed a two-year extension with the club. Coming to their rumored signings, Dheeraj Singh Moirangthem might join the club for the 2019-20 season. The FIFA U-17 World Cupper has refused to sign an extension with Kerala Blasters after a dismal season with them in the ISL. Only time will tell if he would wear the Red and Golds jersey.