Thursday , March 28 2024

Second-half masterclass gives Chennaiyin FC 4-1 first-leg advantage over FC Goa!

Chennaiyin FC produced a second-half masterclass to take a 4-1 advantage from the first-leg of the Indian Super League against FC Goa here on Saturday. Goals after the break from skipper Lucian Goian, Anirudh Thapa, Lallianzuala Chhangte and Eli Sabia were followed by a Saviour Gama away goal in a fitting Chennaiyin FC home finale with the return leg to be played in Goa a week later on March 7.

Owen Coyle reverted to a familiar starting XI after resting most first-teamers against NorthEast United FC in the final league game. Andre Schembri was fit to start after injury had kept him out in recent weeks. As for FC Goa, they missed two key players in Hugo Boumous and Brandon Fernandes, both injured.

Chennaiyin FC began on the front foot and took the game to FC Goa. But chances were at a premium in the first period as the visitors tried to play on the counter. Rafael Crivellaro had a snapshot saved by Mohammad Nawaz in the FC Goa goal while Vishal Kaith did well to get a hand to Seriton Fernandes’ low shot from the edge of the box on the break.

It was a fascinating encounter with the home support in raucous mood, exuding their passion one last time at the Marina Arena. And Chennaiyin FC’s link-up play and vigour on all parts of the pitch reflected that thoroughly.

The half’s best chance was fashioned by Chennaiyin FC top-scorer Nerijus Valskis from a free-kick after Crivellaro was brought down outside the area. The Lithuanian expertly curled his shot around the wall but it went out off the outside of the upright.

It was a more even start to the second half but Chennaiyin FC lit the place up with the opener in the 54th minute through an inspired skipper in Goian. The Romanian leapt highest from a Crivellaro setpiece and headed it into an empty net with Nawaz off his line.

FC Goa defender Mourtada Fall had a half-chance on the hour mark from a corner but he failed to hit the target. And the hosts punished them at the other end with a goal of the highest quality from Thapa. It was a wondergoal from Chennaiyin FC’s wonderboy, curling one from range into the top corner past a flying Nawaz. The fans went into a frenzy as Thapa scored only his third ISL goal, his first-ever at home. Interestingly, it was Thapa that scored the away goal in Chennaiyin FC’s 1-1 draw in the first-leg semi against Goa two seasons back.

The visitors then made the first change of the evening as quick left-sided full-back Saviour Gama came on for Manvir Singh. And Chennaiyin FC made a double change as Edwin Vanspaul and Andre Schembri made way for Germanpreet Singh and Thoi Singh. Coyle not risking Edwin after he had picked up a caution.

On 75 minutes, the two-times champions put together a delightful team move that saw some crisp passing take the ball to Chhangte on the wing. But his cut back was just slightly behind Valskis, who couldn’t control the pass with the goal gaping.

But two minutes later, Valskis made no mistake in finding a teammate as he notched his sixth assist with a pass into the six-yard box which Eli Sabia of all players tapped in to make it 3-0. This the Brazilian’s first goal of the season, also his first since scoring against FC Goa in last season’s 3-1 home league defeat.

There was no let up from the hosts as a second goal in as many minutes made it 4-0, sending the fans into delirium. Thapa became the youngest player to score and assist in an ISL playoff when he drove down the left flank and squared it for Chhangte. The Mizo speedster took one touch and arrowed it into the far corner expertly for his sixth of the season.

The hosts took the foot off the gas in the final ten minutes and FC Goa pulled one back; a valuable away goal. An unfortunate mis-hit clearance from Goian fell to Saviour who prodded it in from close range.

Chennaiyin FC saw it through thereafter to seal a big result going into the second leg. But as the Chennaiyin FC gaffer pointed out post-match, they must guard against complacency with it being only half-time in the tie.

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