ISL 2015: FC Goa 0-4 Chennaiyin FC - 5 Talking Points

Mendoza and Elano lit up the pitch in styleAfter two indifferent performances that resulted in them taking no points from their first two games, Chennaiyin FC got their ISL campaign back on track with a resounding 4-0 thrashing of FC Goa at a rather subdued Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Colombian John Stiven Mendoza was the hero for Chennaiyin as he helped himself to a hat-trick – only the second in the history of the ISL, and he was ably supported by the likes of Elano and Jayesh Rane, as Chennaiyin made it a night to forget for the hosts. Here are 5 of the main talking points from the game. Note: All pictures used in this piece are courtesy of the ISL.

#1 Materazzi\'s changes pay dividends

As was the case for Chennaiyin’s second game in Delhi, manager Marco Materazzi once again made four changes to his starting lineup. Out went Abhishek Das, Alessandro Potenza, Manuele Blasi and Balwant Singh, who were very ably replaced by Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Raphael Augusto and Jayesh Rane. 

The experienced Wadoo slotted in at right back and put in a very assured performance, as he snuffed out any threat that Mandar Rao Desai could conjure up on Goa’s left flank. In midfield, the Brazilian Augusto controlled the tempo of the game perfectly, as he picked his passes out willfully, and absolutely overpowered Denson Devadas and Leo Moura in the Goa midfield. 

But of the four that came in to the team, perhaps the most eye-catching performance came from Jayesh. The young Mumbaikar was a constant nuisance for Goa’s defenders with his smart runs and relentless pressing. Jayesh capped off a fabulous first half by putting Elano through to double Chennaiyin’s lead. And he continued in the second half, where he was always an outlet for the likes of Augusto and Elano to find.