Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
FC Goa suffered a 1-2 loss to Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, another jolt for the Gaurs in ISL-7.
After a defeat against ATK Mohun Bagan last time out, there was a need to freshen things up in the frontline and that showed with Jorge Ortiz and Brandon Fernandes both returning to the starting eleven for FC Goa.
Chennaiyin FC started much brighter however, and the warning signs began as early as the 4th minute when Mohammad Nawaz was tested by Jakub Sylvestr.
The opening goal came just moments later as Rafael Crivellaro’s dangerous delivery from a corner kick flew straight into the top corner beating friend and foe.
Luckily, the Gaurs responded within minutes, and Jorge Ortiz started and finished a lovely move to make it 1-1.
After being played in by Romario Jesuraj, the Spaniard comfortably tucked home the effort to round off an incredible first ten minutes of the game.
Despite FC Goa’s renaissance, Chennaiyin FC looked the most likely team to score in the first half, and missed a few guilt-edge chances.
Culpable on more than one occasion was Lallianzuala Chhangte, who twice missed from point blank range to restore his side’s lead.
Mohammad Nawaz also had to be at his best to stop the Marina Machans from going back in front, and at the half-time interval, the ISL hosts were lucky to be level.
The second half saw Chennaiyin FC grab the initiative once again, and Crivellaro had a golden opportunity to make it 2-1, but somehow managed to put the ball over the bar after some sensational work in the build up to the chance.
Brandon Fernandes nearly got FC Goa back in front a couple of minutes later but his shot from the edge of the box was saved smartly by Vishal Kaith.
With Chennaiyin FC still looking the stronger of the two, it seemed a matter of time before a goal would come and it finally did in the 53rd minute when some brilliant hold up play from Crivellaro finally led to a cross that was tapped home from close range by Rahim Ali.
The lead might have been earned, but FC Goa were in no mood to give up just yet, and Jorge Ortiz still looked threatening going forward. The attacking midfielder felt he should have won a penalty after a strong challenge outside the field of play by goalkeeper Kaith, but the referee didn’t seem to feel the same way.
Edu Bedia had a couple of shots on goal of his own, but even the captain was beginning to look a little frustrated as the game went on.
There was still time for Chhangte to miss yet another chance as he dragged his shot wide in the 77th minute, but it was the Gaurs who were doing most of the attacking as the game neared its end.
Lenny Rodrigues came off the bench and let fly with a wonderful effort that narrowly missed the top corner, while Kaith was kept on his toes by a tireless Igor Angulo towards the end of the game.
Despite their best efforts however, the Men in Orange failed to find an equaliser and fell to their second defeat in a row.
FC Goa will be in action next against Jamshedpur FC on Wednesday, December 23.
