Brilliant Goa gun down defending champions

by Chittu Shetty October 7, 2018

FC Goa notched their first win of this Hero Indian Super League season after a convincing 3-1 result over defending champions Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, on Saturday.

A first-half strike from Edu Bedia (12’) set them on their way before Ferran Corominas (53’) and Mourtada Fall (80’) sealed the result for the Gaurs. Eli Sabia scored the consolation for the home team deep into stoppage time. FC Goa had all the early possession as expected while Chennaiyin were camped in their own half, trying to get a measure of their opposition.

With their full-backs playing high up the pitch, Goa were finding space down the wings and Mailson had to be alert to clear a cross from Coro in the eighth minute. Two minutes later, Jackichand Singh raced down the left wing and fizzed a ball across the box which was almost met by Coro.

The sustained spell of pressure paid off for Goa in the 12th minute as Lenny Rodrigues got to the touchline down the right wing after a smartly worked throw-in routine. His cut-back into the box found Edu Bedia who placed a smart finish into the bottom corner of Karanjit Singh’s goal with the help of a slight deflection.

Chennaiyin slowly grew into the game and fashioned several chances. Gregory Nelson set up Anirudh Thapa on the edge of the area around the half an hour mark but the youngster’s attempted curler went wide. Shortly later, Inigo Calderon ventured into the penalty box before finding Francis Fernandes. However, the winger’s shot was saved by Mohammed Nawaz.

The home team started the second period with urgency but FC Goa doubled their lead, capitalising on some poor defensive work from Chennaiyin FC. A throw-in down the right saw Seriton Fernandes get to the touchline and fizz a low ball across the face of the box. Nobody picked up Coro who darted in at the far post to knock in his third goal of the season.

Chennaiyin almost got a goal back in the 67th minute when Calderon’s long throw into the box was flicked on by Jeje Lalpekhlua. It fell for Raphael Augusto who blazed over from point-blank range. Any hopes of a Chennaiyin comeback were extinguished in the 80th minute. Ahmed Jahouh picked up the ball down the right and swung in a cross which was flicked on by Coro towards Mourtada Fall and the Senegalese managed to direct a looping header into the top corner.

Chennaiyin got a consolation goal in the end through Eli Sabia who headed in Andrea Orlandi’s corner in the 95th minute. Goa are now on four points from two games while the defending champions are yet to open their account.

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