Football
ISL 2019-20: FC Goa see off Chennaiyin FC in goal-fest, climb to top
FC Goa clinched their fourth successive victory in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) in a thrilling encounter against Chennaiyin FC. It was a game of two halves. FC Goa led by a massive three goals in the first half. The Supermachans pulled two goals back in quick succession in the early minutes of the second half but the hope of a miraculous comeback was dashed by Corominas’ goal. Rafael Crivellaro scored in the injury time to give a nerve-wracking climax.
The home side started the game in a promising note when the referee, Umesh Bora turned down a huge appeal from the Supermachans when Andre Schembri went down inside the Goa box. Since the penalty appeal, it was all Goa in the first half.
FC Goa opened their account from a mistake by the Chennaiyin FC left-back, Tondonba Singh. Singh’s poor pass was intercepted by the talismanic Goa striker, Corominas in Chennaiyin’s half. He fed the ball to Hugo Boumous in the final-third who instead passed it to Ahmed Jahouh, who slotted it past the Chennaiyin goalkeeper to score his first-ever Hero ISL goal in three seasons.
Mistakes were made in galore by the Chennaiyin defenders and Goa took full advantage of it. Lucian Goian, who has not been his usual self this season, made a horrendous mistake. The Romanian centre-back tried to play a first-time back pass to his goalkeeper and completely mistimed it. Brandon Fernandes latched onto the loose ball to double the lead.
On the stroke of half-time, FC Goa increased their lead to three goals through Boumous, from where a Chennaiyin comeback looked bleak.
The home side came into the second half all guns blazing. The Supermachans constantly knocked at Goa’s door in the second half and finally got a break in the 57th minute. Rafael Crivellaro’s corner took a touch off Ahmed Jahouh and fell kindly for Schembri, who headed it past the Goa goalkeeper, Mohammad Nawaz. The home side did not have to wait long, as they pulled another one back just after two minutes. Nerijus Valskis set up Crivellaro, who beat Mohammad Nawaz with a powerful drive to set up an intriguing final 30 minutes.
Just when it looked Chennaiyin would script a miraculous comeback, Coro gave the Supermachans a sucker punch, scoring the fourth goal for FC Goa. Boumous produced a perfect through ball for the Spanish striker for him to score his seventh goal of the campaign.
The Gaur’s fourth goal did not derail the Supermachans and the home side kept on knocking at Goa’s door for the third goal and it came late in the injury time. It was the Brazilian Crivellaro again on the score sheet for the second time of the night.
The hope of Chennaiyin’s comeback was ruined by Edwin Vanspaul’s double yellow card turning into a red card.
FC Goa’s fourth win on the trot takes them back to the top of the table and three points ahead of the second-placed ATK.
