Chennai City FC, guided by Singaporean coach Akbar Nawas, kicked-off their 2018-19 I-League season with a commanding 4-1 win over minnows Indian Arrows in Coimbatore on Friday. The home team were led by Spanish striker, Pedro Manzi, who scored a hat-trick on the opening day of the domestic competition to down Floyd Pinto’s young side.

It was the visitors who took the lead in the second minute itself after captain Amarjit Singh Kiyam scored his side’s solitary goal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. But Pedro scored in the 31st, 49th and 64th minutes while winger Romario Jesuraj got the other goal for Chennai in the 76th minute. Chennai were clearly the dominant side all throughout the game and some tireless runs from wingers Jesuraj and Nestor helping Manzi to a deserved hat-trick for the home team. The win propels Chennai to the top of the table for the time being.

Neroca FC impressed everyone last season as they emerged as outside contenders to lift the I-League title and secure promotion but had to settle for the second spot at the end of the tournament. However, the North-Eastern outfit succumbed to a 2-0 defeat at the hands of old-boys East Bengal at the Khuman Lumpak stadium on Saturday.