FC Goa gets the better of Chennaiyin FC

The host opened its account with a 70th minute free-kick strike from Inigo Calderon, which was helped by a blunder from skipper Laxmikant Kattimani. It reduced the deficit in the 84th minute after Brazilian Raphael Augusto neatly converted a penalty. The spot kick was awarded as a result of Goan shotstopper’s collision with Indian international Jeje. 

Chennaiyin FC started the second half on the front foot after the introduction of Gregory Nelson in place of Rene Mihelic. The Dutch winger straight away got into the thick of things by hitting the post in the 47th minute. 

Earlier, FC Goa was in a cruise mode scoring three goals in the first half. Spaniard Ferran Corominas Telechea smashed the ball into the bottom left corner in the 25th minute and also bagged the honour of becoming the first goal-scorer of ISL Season 4.

The Goans hit CFC on the break with Dhanachandra Singh being the lone man at the back. The opener was assisted by Brandon Fernandes, who put in a defense-splitting pass into the path of FC Goa’s No 8. The visitor doubled its lead in the 29th minute after successive saves from the 31-year-old Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.

The lobbed shot from Manuel Lanzarote Bruno hit the crossbar before sneaking past the goal line. Mandar Rao Dessai piled more misery by making it 3-0 for FC Goa in the 39th minute courtesy of a left-footed strike from the Indian. The Sergio Lobera-managed side enjoyed bulk of the possession and dominated every department in the opening 45 minutes. 

“I probably started with the wrong team and formation. I take complete responsibility for exposing my team to the opposition. Its disappointing not to come out with at least a point. We now need to pick ourselves up and get ready for our next home match against NorthEast United (on Thursday),” said the Chennaiyin gaffer John Gregory after the loss.