ISL 3: Defending Champions sinks FC Goa to third defeat in a row

by Chittu Shetty October 13, 2016

Early first half goals by Hans Mulder and Wadoo gave defending champions their first win of ISL 3 Campaign, as Zico’s team were completely outclassed by Materazzi’s side.

Two goals within the first 30 minutes was enough as Chennaiyin condemned Goa to another defeat in what was a dull encounter for most parts of the game, with Goa seemingly disinterested in attacks, while Chennaiyin happy to sit back on the two goal advantage.

Looking to stir things up Materazzi’s made a lot changes in the team with Karanjit Singh, Blasi, Davide Succi, Eli Sabia and the young Jerry Lalrinzuala coming in for Kerr, Dudu, Jeje, Bernard Mendy and Nallapan Mohanraj, lining up a 4-2-3-1 formation. On the other hand, FC Goa made only one change, with Mandar Rao Desai sitting out for Sahil Tavora in a 4-1-4-1 formation.

In the very second minute of the play, Fulganco’s long ball behind the Chennai defense was miscontrolled by Karanjit giving it away to Reinaldo but Eli came to the rescue just in time winning the ball from Reinaldo’s feet, who fells down dramatically inside the box much to the disinterest of the referee.

In the 15^th minute, Chennai opened the score sheet, when Augusto’s pass found Mulder, who from the edge of the box shot the ball to the left of Kattimani to make it 1-0 for Chennai.

In the 25^th minute, Jofre put in a cross for the unmarked Raphael Dumas who failed to direct his header past the Chennaiyin custodian. But in the 26^th minute, Wadoo’s ball, looking to cross inside the box found a deflection of Dumas into the back of the net with Kattimani diving to his left failing to reach it as Chennai took a 2-0 lead.

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Two goals down, Goa looked to attack down the right targeting a young Jerry, but the Indian youngster was very impressive in the back. Goa looked out of sorts as their crosses were easily dealt with, towards the end of the first half; the game seemed to lose its creativity.

In the 42^nd minute, a mistake from Wadoo allowed Rafael try out a curler in to the far post but the ball went wide of the post. The match went in to the break with Chennaiyin comfortably leading 2-0.

Goan started second half with a spell of pressure but seemed unable to find inroads in to the Chennaiyin defence as Trindade aimed a long ranger directly at the Chennaiyin player while Rafael’s shot hit the side netting.

At the hour mark, Mulder’s pass found Succi who controlled the ball but was intercepted by Fulganco. In the 67’ minute Julio Cesar’s set-piece found Rafael, whose shot was blocked well by Mulder. A minute later, Riise almost headed into his own net off Reinaldo’s cross from FC Goa corner.

Chennaiyin soon had six Indians on the field as Blasi made way for Siam Hanghal while Dudu came for Succi and later on it became seven Indians as Harmanjot Kabra came in for a tiring Augusto. At the other end, Goa brought on Romeo Fernandes in place of Trindade to add some pace into the side.

FC Goa failed to take advantage despite keeping most of the Possession as the game ended 2-0 in favour of the home side.

Chennaiyin FC 2 (Mulder 15’, Wadoo 26’) – 0 FC Goa