Chennai: FC Goa got their sweet revenge over arch-rivals Chennaiyin FC defeating them 3-1 in ISL5 at the Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. Chennaiyin had put out Goa in the semi-finals last season on their way to the title.
Impressed with Anirudh Thapa’s showing in the second-half of the last match against Bengaluru, Chennaiyin coach John Gregory chose to start with the defensive midfielder in place of Isaac Vanmalsawma. Meanwhile for Goa, Eduardo Bedia was back after serving his suspension from the Super Cup.
As expected, the away team dominated possession early on, passing at will and inching closer to goal. It took them just 12 minutes to go ahead. Midfielder Lenny Rodrigues passed the ball to Bedia from a quick throw-in near the right corner flag. The Spaniard made no mistake as he eased the ball into the bottom right corner.
Once the game settled, Chennaiyin made their presence felt. Full-back Inigo Calderon combined well with midfielder Francisco Fernandes on the right while Dutchman Gregory Nelson and Thapa were lively on the left.
With the battle for the ball mostly confined to midfield, Goa were forced to defend with intensity. Three of their players had picked up yellow cards by half-time.
Even though Chennaiyin were desperate to score, Goa struck their second soon after resumption, this time it was none other than their striker Ferran Corominas. He took his tally to three from two matches.
The visitors had replicated their first goal after a throw-in from the right corner. This time the assist was from Hugo Boumous. The Frenchman crossed the ball to Coro who remained unmarked at the far post, with the Chennaiyin defence caught off-guard.
Chennaiyin neither made an impact up field nor their much talked-about defence holding fort as Goa went 3-0 up. With 10 minutes of play left, defender Serigne Fall headed the ball into the top right corner. During stoppage time Chennaiyin managed to salvage some pride after Eli Sabia headed in a goal from a corner taken by substitute Andrea Orlandi.
