Chennaiyin FC, powered by strikes from Germanpreet Singh and Mirlan Murzaev, beat Odisha FC 2-1 in an Indian Super League match at the Tilak Maidan Stadium on Saturday.

The much-needed victory — Chennaiyin’s first in four matches — propelled it to the third place on the league standings from fifth with 11 points.

The Marina Machans missed a golden chance to go 3-0 up when Lukasz Gikiewicz fluffed a penalty in the 85th minute. And in the dying minutes of the match, Javier Hernandez pulled one back with a brilliant long-range strike.

Replacing Edwin Vanspaul from the previous game in the playing eleven, Germanpreet scored his first goal for the side in the 23rd minute. Meanwhile, Murzaev’s right-footed shot in the 63rd minute from outside the box also went past Odisha ‘keeper Kamaljit Singh.

AS IT HAPPENED | ISL 2021-22, Chennaiyin FC vs Odisha FC Highlights

Neither Chennaiyin nor Odisha could make much use of its set-pieces.

Lallianzuala Chhangte had the best chance to make the scoreline 2-0 moments into the second half as a wonderful counter-attack saw Murzaev provide a through pass to the 24-year-old. However, Chhangte hit it straight to the goalkeeper.

Chennai shot-stopper Vishal, in the meantime, proved his critics wrong with a brilliant one-handed effort in the 58th minute to deny Aridai Suarez.