Goals from Balwant Singh and Elano helped Goa FC to register victory
Action from the Indian Super League match between Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Wednesday. Chennai emerged shock 2-1 winners.
New Delhi: Chennaiyin FC edged out FC Goa 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Goa, to launch their Indian Super League campaign on positive note on Wednesday evening.Marco Materazzi’s team thus became the first in the ISL to record an away win and fitingly, it was Balwant Singh (35th minute) — the event’s first Indian goalscorer — who got the opening goal of the match.
Chennaiyin FC’s marquee player Elano Blumer (42nd) then notched up another couple of firsts to his name when he doubled the lead with a free-kick. The Brazilian became the first marquee player to find his name on the scoresheet and also the first to score directly off a set-piece in the ISL.
Gregory Arnolin (65th) managed to pull one back for the Goan franchise.Goa made a lively start to the game in front of a raucous home crowd. Edgar Marcelino was at the heart of Goa’s attacks, with the Portuguese showcasing some incisive passing.The Chennaiyin defence soaked up the pressure well, however, and they went ahead when Elano latched onto a poor clearance and made his way into the box. Balwant was on hand to fire the ball home from the subsequent pass.
The visitors soon doubled their lead, with Elano scoring a brilliant goal. A foul on the edge of the box gave him the chance to whip in a trademark free kick, and he duly obliged, scoring a beautiful, curling strike to give his side a 2-0 lead to take into half-time.
Goa pushed on in search of an equaliser, with local hero Clifford Miranda, on as a substitute, nearly scoring a stunning goal straight from a corner kick, before Chennaiyin keeper Emiliano Bracigliano pulled off a fantastic save to deny Ranty Martins.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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