Chennaiyin 1-0 Sporting Delhi Highlights, ISL: Farukh's Early Strike Seals Hard-Fought Win For Marina Machans

Good evening, football fans! This is the start of our live blog covering Chennaiyin FC's ISL match against SC Dehi at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. Stay tuned for pre-match updates and line-ups as they are released.

• Fixture: Chennaiyin FC vs Sporting Club Delhi

• Series: Indian Super League 2025-26

• Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai

• Date: Friday, April 17, 2026

• Time: 7:30 AM IST

The battle at the bottom of the Indian Super League table has reached a critical point for Chennaiyin FC. Currently sitting in 12th place with just 5 points from seven matches, the Marina Machans are in desperate need of a victory to distance themselves from the very foot of the standings.

While they are level on points with 11th-placed Odisha FC and 13th-placed Kerala Blasters, their poor goal difference of -5 has kept them submerged in the bottom three. A win today at the Marina Arena wouldn't just be their first at home this season; it would potentially propel them as high as 10th, leapfrogging NorthEast United and Odisha.

For Sporting Club (SC) Delhi, the stakes involve solidifying their mid-table status and pushing toward the playoff spots. Currently in 9th place with 8 points, the league newcomers are riding a wave of momentum after back-to-back wins.

A victory today would take them to 11 points, allowing them to overtake Inter Kashi and potentially move into 8th place, level with giants like Bengaluru FC and Jamshedpur FC.

With only six games remaining in the regular season for Chennaiyin, this fixture represents a must-win scenario to avoid being trapped in the basement of the league.

In their last match on April 11, 2026, Chennaiyin FC suffered a disappointing 3–1 defeat at home against East Bengal FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

The hosts fell behind in the 7th minute to a goal from Edmund Lalrindika. The goal was controversial as Chennaiyin’s Elsinho was down injured, and the team expected East Bengal to put the ball out of play; instead, the visitors played on to score. Elsinho was subsequently stretchered off.

Chennaiyin responded well, and Irfan Yadwad leveled the score at 1–1 before halftime with a composed finish, lifting the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.

Despite a strong second-half performance and several outstanding saves by goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz, Chennaiyin conceded two late goals. Bipin Singh headed home in the 83rd minute, and Nandhakumar Sekar sealed the 3–1 win for East Bengal in stoppage time.

The players are out on the pitch, and the referee blows his whistle to get tdoday's match underway. Chennaiyin FC on the attack right away, putting pressure on the Delhi defence.

A brilliant one-two in front of the Chennaiyin FC penalty area leads to Aimen entering the box. However, the Delhi winger goes down theatrically in the box, and the referee waves away his half-hearted appeals for a penalty. Should have been a booking for diving.

At the end end, Chima Chikwu has a powerful shot at goal that is saved by Fernandes.

Farukh Choudhary puts Chennaiyin FC ahead with a stunning finish!! Brilliant work by Noguera to get a first-time through to Farukh, who takes what looks like a mishit cross with his left. Instead, the ball sails past everyone and nestles into the top right corner. Fernandes is a spectator.

Sporting Delhi have responded well since going behind early on. The Pheonix have enjoyed more of the ball and are creating chances. A ball by Babovic is cleared by the defence, but Chennaiyin are not able to get out of their own half.

Less than 10 minutes remain in the first half regulation time, and the tempo of the game has dropped considerable. Most of the play is happening in the middle of the park, with players unable to break down the defence. A cross by Mandar aimed for Chima Chuwku is cleared easily by the Delhi defence.

A goal-saving block by Saji to deny Chima Chukwu!! A brilliant cross from the right finds the Nigerian forward, and he looks sure to find the back of the net. However, Saji comes sliding in to get a terrific block to clear the danger.

After three minutes of added time, the referee blows his whistle to bring the first half to an end. Farukh's early goal remains the difference between the two teams as we go into break in Chennai.

The players are out on the pitch at the Marina Arena, and it's Sporting Club Delhi who take the kick-off to get the second half underway. No changes at the break from either side as far as I can see.

Chennaiyin concede an unnecessary foul in their own area, and Aimen floats in a ball in the box with his left. It finds the head of Saji, who is completely unmarked, but he shoots it straight at Aimen. The goalkeeper fumbles the ball but gathers it with the second attempt.

A tackle from behind on Farukh by Saji brings the Chennaiyin forward down, and he immediately points to the bench and asks for a substitution. Chennaiyin make a double change in reponse. Dinpuia and Imran come on, replacing Ankit and Farukh.

A needless foul on Chima Chuwku leads to a brilliant shot from the resulting free-kick. It's saved by Fernandes, but Delhi fail to clear the danger, and the ball remains with Chennaiyin. Dinpuia's shot finally sails harmlessly wide.

With time ticking down for SC Delhi to find the equaliser, the head coach opts for a change up top. Babovic, who doesn't seem fully match fit yet, is brought off for Sourav.

A brilliant chance for Delhi to equalise. Fane makes a darting run into the box, with no Chennaiyin defender putting in a challenge. However, the Frenchman opts to cut back instead of having a shot at goal, and the move comes to nothing.

The fourth official holds up his board to indicate a minimum of seven minutes of stoppage time. SC Delhi are pushing hard for an equaliser, but the Chennaiyin defence is holding firm.

A brilliant chance for Sourav to equalise right at the death, but this shot flies just wide of the post. That is the last action of the match as the referee blows the full-time whistle. Farukh's early goal is enough for Chennaiyin to win the contest.