ISL: Chennaiyin FC Win 2-1 Against FC Goa

FC Goa consisting of Robert Pires as a creative outlet, started with their conquest towards the goal, from the opening minute. It was clear from the first minute cross inside the box, that FC Goa had a mind set for a win.

Chennaiyin FC, meanwhile were playing a very tight line and had men behind the ball, forming a compact formation led by Mikael Silvestre.

After a 4th minute foul on Robert Pires, which resulted in a free kick, saw FC Goa register their first shot on goal. Minutes later, a powerful header by Bengelloun, skimmed wide by the Chennai goal.

Although, goalless, a lively start from the Goans, was resulting in wave after wave of pelting Goa attack, as Marcelino shot inches above the post.
Chennaiyin lacked men in the midfield region, and often played a very deep, inviting pressure.

A miscued shot way wide of goal, was Chennai’s first attempt at goal, registered around the 8th minute marker.

After a blistering start by FC Goa, Chennai began to rebel back, as a 12th minute foul on Elano, saw a free kick just near the 18 yard region, which was consequently resulted into a corner.

Chennai after a quiet start, started keeping way more possession and developed their grit into the game, as a 16th minute pass by Abhishek Das, was met by the oncoming Balwant Singh, which resulted in the keeper making a decent save.Ai??Seconds later Das played the antagonist as he got booked for a back tackle on Marcelino

Chennaiyin FC, playing with three central defenders, sat comfortably deep, as their midfielder often tracked back, to nullify Goa’s counterattack.
A show-boating Marcelino cross, was again met and hoofed away by the Chennai defenders, as Chennai started to develop their stronghold in the game.

However, seconds later a Robert Pires shot, way past the Chennai Goal, reminded the Maro Materazzi franchisee, of the danger they were against.

A scrappy 32nd minute goal, after a cross from the left flank, saw Balwant Singh being rewarded for his persistent game play. Balwant Singh, with this became the first Indian Goal Scorer in the Indian Super League.

Minutes later, a Edgar Marcelino bullet free kick, looped inches over the Chennai goal, after a wicked deflection, which resulted into a corner kick.

Chennai dominated possession, as the ball was often kept around the final third of the Goan Franchisee.A foul committed against Balwant Singh around the 18 yard area, resulted into a beautiful curled free kick goal, from Elano.

A 43rd minute two footed tackle by Narayan Das on Abhishek Das, was punished by a yellow card, as FC Goa longed for the halfway point, with signs of complacency were being displayed all around.

Cries of penalty were cancelled by the referee, deep into injury time, as the first half ended on a controversial refereeing decision.With Chennai leading 2-0 and being backed by resolute defending, it looked almost impossible for FC Goa to get back into the game.

Ai??The second half began admist controversy and chaos, as a 47th minute fight, followed by a 50th minute heated disagreement, following a foul on Robert Pires, resulted in a yellow card to the oppressor, Denzil Denson.

Chennai committed men towards the ball, as FC Goa pelted their Defense with crosses and quick plays, making their way through to the goal. A 55th minute, Marcelino through ball, followed by a defensive lapse, nearly burst Chennai’s bubble, only to be safeguarded by quick thinking of Goalkeeper, Gennaro, who came brilliantly off his line, to make a save.

With FC Goa, looking to make amends, Zico masterminded his tactical switch with both,Pinheiro Ai??and Miranda, substituting Marcelino and Holicharan, respectively.

Flaunting a 2 goal lead, Chennai rarely attacked the Goan Goal, and Goa regularly tested the Chennai Goal, more-so than a 60th minute bullet inches above the cross bar by Holicharan, which was also his last involvement in the game.

Stagnant attack, bore fruits in the 64th minute, as a Robert Pires cross, met by Youness Belegoun, invited defender Gregory Arnolin, to finish cheekily into the Chennai goal.

FC Goa, again edged closer towards the goal, as a 67th minute free kick tested goalkeeper Gennaro.Ai??A rare counter attack by Chennai around the 69th minute marker, was dealt with ease by the Goan back four.

Chennaiyin FC, regularly dropped deep and invited pressure and attacks from a desperate Goan Side, looking to equalize their deficient.Ai??Replacing Bojan with Suarez, was yet another defensive change by Marco Materazzi, as Jairo Suarez slotted into the right back role.

Jeje was brought on to replace Balwant Singh in the 79th minute, following an injury scare, in his Ariel duel against Arnolin.Ai??A brilliant save to deny Ranti Martins, in the 83rd minute by Gennaro, showcased Goa’s attacking ideology and their will to atleast gain a point from this match.

Bernard Mendy literally flew in the air,minutes later, to deny Ranti Martins, a shot at goal, following an inviting cross by Clifford Miranda.Ai??With two minutes to goal, the match resulted into an end to end stuff, with both the teams partaking in combination plays.

With five minutes added on, Chennaiyin FC reverted to time wasting antics while FC Goa anticipated and hoped for a lapse by the resolute Chennai defense.

The match concluded with a well organised Chennaiyin FC defense proving ‘too much’ for the attacking fluidity of FC Goa, as the Robert Pires side, succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.

With this, Chennaiyin FC became the first team to take points, from their trip, away from home.

Tags: Indian Super League