ISL: Resilient Chennaiyin FC defeat FC Goa 2-1 in a pulsating encounter
FC Goa were defeated by Chennaiyin FC 2-1 in the final fixture of the 1st round of matches of the ISL. The match saw the away side take advantage of their chances on goal, while the home team Goa were very good going forward, but squandered their chances while Chennaiyin FC strengthened the claims of them being the best defensive unit as they put their bodies to the wall to clinch a win for them.
The stadium was packed and the state of Goa was all set for a cracker as the well-lit Jawaharlal Nehru was all set to host FC Goa’s maiden game of the ISL as they welcomed Chennaiyin FC to their town for their season opener.
Balwant opened the scoring for the Chennai outfit in the 32nd minute, before Elano made it 2-0 before half time with a scintillating freekick. Goa pulled one back in the 65th minute, but a host of missed chances cost the home team as their efforts went in vain with them finishing the day with no points on the board.
A two goal lead against the run of play
Banners were flying high, the chants were on as the referee blew for kick-off. The situation got the better of the two teams as both failed to get in a string of passes before the home team, spurred on by the magnificent support went on the attack, creating one chance after another, notably the one that fell to Youness, whose thumping header went inches wide of the post.
Goa was controlling possession with Chennai pressing hard and playing on the counter just as Elano stole the ball and ran into the FC Goa defence before being fouled by Carvalho near the edge of the box in what was a great position to score. But the chance was squandered as Elano hit the wall.
Chennai had absorbed the pressure well and started to play their game. In what was Chennai’s first meaningful attack, Abhishek Das found Balwant, only to see his powerless shot ease into the keeper’s gloves. Gaining confidence by now, Pelissari attempted a long shot from within his own half, but to no avail.
Not bogged down by Chennai’s attempts, Goa kept attacking, but lacked the cutting edge or incision, leading to the attacks paying no dividends. The two central midfielders combined well for FC Goa as Marcelino played Pires in, but his shot went wide. FC Goa’s striker was clear a minute later, only to see a diving Silvestre come in and take the ball off his feet.
Against the run of play, Chennai got ahead in the game in the 32nd minute through their Indian striker Balwant Singh, who also made it to the history books as the first Indian goalscorer of the Indian Super League. Djordjic played the ball wide to Dhanachandra, who then sent in a cross which was poorly headed away by Narayan Das, failing to get rid of the danger. The quality player he is, Elano pounced on it and as he tricked two defenders, the ball fell to Balwant who hit a shot and it found itself in the back off the net off the keeper.
Goa almost responded in no time through their stylish Portuguese medio Marcelino whose free kick took a deflection off Djordjic and went an inch wide.
In wake of restoring parity, FC Goa committed bodies forward which saw them short at the back causing Prabir Das to foul Balwant in a dangerous position. Making amends for his first attempt, Elano struck it beautifully, leaving the keeper stranded and having him commit to the wrong side to double the visitor’s lead in the 42nd minute .
The second half was all Goa
Buoyed by the half time talk, Goa went on the offensive right from the start of the second half with Marcelino leading their charge. Edgar and Holicharan combined well on a couple of occasions, but the Chennai defence was up for it.
The chance of the second half came on the 56 minute mark when Bruno Pelissari almost provided finesse to the ball fired in from the left, but his shot went just over. FC Goa did not let their shoulders drop and kept going. A fine example of that was seen in the 65th minute as the home side pulled one back in a never-say die moment. The central defensive pair of Goa combined to score a goal as Youness stretched his leg to win a ball that seemed to be a lost cause only to see his partner Gregory send it into the back of the net.
With the game on, Zico didn’t shy away from making changes to add new dimension, to his side. Goa picked up further pace, but Chennai were gritty as ever, which left Goa having to try something new.
It was all Goa in the last 10 minutes as the home side saw a couple of great chances squandered with the Chennaiyin FC keeper equal to the task as he kept away Ranti Martins from the score sheet. Bracigliano also showed his composure as he kept an incoming Clifford Miranda corner away from the goal to guide his team to a win in their opening game and thus they registered the first away win of the league.