Goa snatch late win in 9-goal thriller vs Chennaiyin

Margao, Dec 1 (IANS) FC Goa scripted a pulsating 5-4 victory against Chennaiyin in their final Indian Super League (ISL) football clash here on Thursday.

Both teams have failed to qualify for the semifinals and were only playing for pride at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Chennaiyin took lead three times but Goa restored parity every time and went ahead in the 76th minute for the first time in the match .

Rafael Coelho put Goa in lead, scoring his second goal of the game. But Chennaiyin drew level in the 88th minute after substitute John Arne Riise converted a penalty.

The match was moving towards a 3-3 draw until Sahil Tavora netted in added time.

FC Goa scored through a brace each from Rafael Coelho (6th minute, 76th), Sahil Tavora (68th and 90th) and Joffre Gonzalez (21st). Chennaiyin FC found the mark through Jerry Lalrinzuala (4th), Gregory Arnolin (own goal, 14th), Dudu Omagbemi (28th) and John Arne Riise (88th).

Chennaiyin led 3-2 at half-time.

The victory took Goa's points tally to 14 but they still finished at the bottom of the table. Defending champions Chennaiyin finished seventh with 15 points in an extremely disappointing campaign for both last year's finalists.

Chennaiyin surged ahead in the fourth minute itself when Jerry scored from a free-kick to dazzle goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani but Goa soon equalised as Coelho got hold of a through ball from Joffre Gonalez and then scored with ease.

Chennaiyin took the lead for the second time in the 14th minute when Anirudh Thapa's shot that hit the post, struck Goa defender Gregory Arnolin and sailed into the net. Just like the first setback, Goa drew level for the second time, this time Joffre scoring from a penalty.

The visitors enjoyed a 3-2 advantage at half-time as Dudu Omagbemi capitalised on a defensive lapse in the 28th minute.

In the second session, coach Zico made a couple of changes and Goa not just equalised through Sahil Tavora but also moved up for the first time as Rafael Coelho gave finishing touches to a brilliant long ball from Trindade Goncalves in the 76th minute.

The goal seemed enough for Goa to pocket full points as they fell back and defended but there was disappointment as Raju Gaikwad handled the ball, prompting the referee to award a penalty which Riise scored with ease.

Just when it seemed like the match would end in a draw, Sahil Tavora scored from the left, as his shot kissed the post and sailed into the net.

--IANS

sam/vm