Ruthless Goa cruise into final after 3-0 win over I-League champions Chennai City FC
FC Goa put on a ruthless display to beat Hero I-League 2018-19 champions Chennai City FC 3-0 in the first semi-final of the Hero Super Cup 2019 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
The result sends the Gaurs through to the final of the knockout tournament, where they will face the winner of Wednesday’s match between ATK and Chennaiyin FC. The loss also brought an end to Chennai City’s brilliant run in the tournament, which saw them knock out FC Pune City and Hero Indian Super League (Hero ISL) 2018-19 champions Bengaluru FC.
Highlights of the Game:
- Ferran Corominas scored from the penalty spot on the 26th minute to put Goa in front.
- The Spaniard struck again nine minutes later to double the advantage.
- Brandon Fernandes added his name to the score sheet to make it 3-0 on the 69th minute.
With Edu Bedia out with a suspension, Hugo Boumous was drafted into the FC Goa starting XI by head coach Sergio Lobera. Chennai City boss Akbar Nawas, on the other hand, made two changes to the team which started the quarter-final tie against Bengaluru FC. Charles Lourdusamy came in for the suspended Michael Regin in midfield, while Alexander Romario Jesuraj was handed a start in place of Ameerudeen Haja.
The Gaurs came out with a positive mindset and their quick silky passing pegged Chennai back, barely giving the Hero I-League 2018-19 champions a sniff of the ball. Seriton Fernandes and Zaid Krouch came close to scoring in the first 15 minutes. The former’s shot at goal was deflected wide while Krouch’s deflected shot from range needed a fingertip save from Chennai custodian Mauro Boerchio to stay out.
Goa kept on turning the screws and their dominance finally paid off on the 25th minute as Jacki found Ferran Corominas in the box. With the Spaniard’s back turned towards the goal, Charles skipped the gun and clattered into Coro, leaving the referee with no choice but to point towards the spot. Boerchio denied Sunil Chhetri from the penalty spot in their last match, but no one seemed to have told Coro that, who calmly executed an audacious Panenka to beat the Italian.
Also Read: Indian women held by Myanmar, bow out on goal difference
Chennai City tried to up the ante to find a quick equaliser, but it was Goa who found the second goal. The Jacki-Coro partnership was at the centre of the move yet again. The Indian winger whipped in a cross from the right, which took a deflection off Sriram B. The ball kindly fell for Coro, who did extremely well to make the space for a shot and beat Boerchio again with a low angled shot.
The first half ended with the Gaurs holding a well-deserved two-goal advantage.
Chennai City began the second half on the front foot and threw numbers forward in search of a way back into the game. Chennai were in desperate need for a goal and almost found one through Romario Jesus on the 66th minute. The nippy winger skipped past multiple challenges and pulled the trigger from 30-yards-out. Unfortunately for Chennai, the ball came off the top of the crossbar.
Three minutes later, things got worse for Nawas and Co. Boumous received the ball in the midfield and set Brandon Fernandes free. The winger put on his afterburners, ran onto the through pass and calmly slotted it past Boerchio to make it 3-0 for Goa.
As the game progressed, Sergio Lobera’s men created ample opportunities to make the scoreline far more imposing, but a bit of bad luck, some last-ditch defending and a few terrific saves from Boerchio helped Chennai avoid any further blushes. The match ended 3-0 in Goa’s favour.
Post-match Conference:
At the post-match press conference, Goa’s assistant coach Jesus Tato along with goal scorer Corominas were present to share their thoughts on the match. Talking about the performance of the players, Tato said, “Before the game, we knew Chennai City are a team with a lot of potential. We outplayed them easily as the score can tell. But at the end of the day, it was the players who displayed it on the pitch. We really worked hard towards this game. I must give all the credit to the players.”
Coro, who scored a brace on the night, got plenty of opportunities to score a hat-trick but missed out eventually. Asked if he was disappointed with not scoring a third, the Spaniard said, “As a striker, you always want to score goals. Today I would have liked to score a hat-trick, but regardless of who scores, the most important thing is that the team wins. I will always do my best for the team.”
From Chennai City’s end, Akbar Nawas had no qualms admitting that they were the second-best team on the night. “I think the right word is overhauled. We gave them too much respect from the first half. We were too deep. This has got a lot to do with maturity and experience. FC Goa gave us a good footballing experience and we should really strive now to play the way they are playing,” he stated.
Hero of the Match – Saviour Gama
Despite the Goa attack turning on the style in the match, Goa’s young left back Saviour Gama was the pick of the Gaurs marauding on the pitch. The 21-year-old was fantastic and patrolled the left flank with authority, snuffing out any Chennai City advances with ease. The pacey defender also steamed forward every opportunity he got and made some crucial contributions in the opposition third.
– Courtesy AIFF media
Also Read: India to play King’s Cup alongside Curacao, Vietnam and host Thailand
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for all the latest happenings in the world of Indian football.
“This team has worked for 1 year 10 months together to mark their statement” Head Coach Of Mumbai City FC U19 – Mohan Dass
In an Exclusive Interview with Mumbai City FC Coach Mohan Suresh Dass, we take a look into the Mumbai City FC U19’s triumphant journey in the MFA Super League The…
Undefeated MYJ GMSC lead the Reliance Foundation Development League – Mumbai Region
The Mumbai Leg of Reliance developmental league regional round kicked off last week, and its MYJ GMSC who have race to the top of the table. MYJGMSC are currently the…
India suffer shock defeat against Afghanistan
GUWAHATI: India’s quest for a place in the third round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualifiers suffered a serious jolt when they went…
Indian Super League / Transfer News
Chennaiyin FC defender Bijay Chhetri signs for Uruguayan club
Bijay Chhetri becomes the first Indian player to sign with Latin American club after he joins Uruguayan club Colon Futbol Club on loan. The 22-year-old rising Indian footballer Bijay Chhetri…
Blue Tigers ready to pounce on Afghanistan in chock-a-block Guwahati Stadium
GUWAHATI: The Indian senior men’s team will look to pocket full points as they take on Afghanistan in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualification…
Odisha FC: The newly-crowned queens of Indian women’s football
NEW DELHI: Odisha FC Women had a dream to chase when the club was formed 20 months ago. And for dreamers, they knew, hard facts are never an obstacle. So, they…
India U23 draw with Malaysia in second friendly tie
NEW DELHI: The India Under-23 Men’s National Team drew 1-1 with the hosts Malaysia Under-23 team in their second friendly match at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on…
AIFF to felicitate Sunil Chhetri on his 150th International for the Blue Tigers
NEW DELHI: The All India Football Federation will felicitate Indian Senior Men’s Team captain Sunil Chhetri, who is expected to play his 150th Senior International match in the FIFA World Cup…
Goalkeeper Elangbam Chanu signs for Australian club Metro United WFC
Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, the Indian Womens team Goalkeeper becomes the first Indian player to play in Australian League after signing for Metro United WFC. Elangbai Panthoi Chanu the Indian Keeper…
Lallianzuala Chhangte: I wouldn’t be here today if not for the chances given to me by the ISL
Mumbai, March 26: Nineteen games into the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24, Mumbai City FC finds itself placed comfortably at the top of the table with 41 points. They are well…
SSE BFC to conduct trials for U9 to U17 age group players
SSE BFC Soccer School will be conducting fresh trials this month for players aged below 17 to be part of their football program SSE BFC Soccer Schools is a football…
India Khelo Football Season 3 Trials for Mumbai and Thane are here
India Khelo Football (IKF) is back with Season 3 of its widely acclaimed trials with an aim to cover more than 50 cities this time around. After the resounding success…
Feature / Recommended / Trials
Mastering the Art of Football Trials: Key Pre-Trial Factors to Keep in Mind
Football trials are a critical juncture for aspiring players to showcase their skills and secure a spot in a team. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to tailor your approach based on your playing position as well as keeping in mind a few pre-trial factors.
Somaiya Sports Academy to conduct trials for MFA 2nd Division campaign
Somaiya Sports Academy is looking for passionate young football players for the Somaiya Sports Academy Football Team to compete in the MFA 2nd Division League 2023-2024. If selected, you will…
BFC Soccer Schools – Mumbai to conduct trials for U14 & U16 Girls
The BFC Soccer Schools Elite team girls’ trials are coming up in search of talented players from the U14 to U16 (Born 2009 and after) age groups into the club’s…
Opportunity to make the team: U.K.M. Kothrud FC conducts selection trials for girls team
Pune-based U.K.M. Kothrud FC has announced that they will be conducting selection trials for their girl’s team on 15th January 2023 The club welcomes all players to come and showcase…
The Sunday Football League Season 4 is back
The Sunday Football League is back with its fourth season, and it’s shaping up to be the best one yet. With eight talented teams competing at the Kes Kandivali turf, there…
BFC Soccer Schools Elite team trials in Feb
Bengaluru FC launched their Mumbai program last season with the Soccer Schools and Elite programs with its local partner Soccer Schools of Excellence (SSE). Bengaluru Football Club is a professional club…
India Khelo Football Season 2 Trials in Mumbai: A Chance to Kickstart Your Football Career
After conducting trials in 34 cities & villages across India, India Khelo Football is coming to Mumbai to hunt talent on 7th January. India Khelo Football kickstarted its season 2…
MFA / MFA Elite Premier League / Trials
Mumbai Customs to conduct trials for Elite League
Former champions Mumbai Customs will be holding open trials for the upcoming MFA Elite Corporate League (Elite Division) The 2019 MFA Elite Division champions Mumbai Customs are conducting open trials…