PANJIM:
FC Goa remain winless in four straight games after going down to Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Jeje Lalpekhluah’s effort early in the second half deflected off both Bruno Pinheiro and Narayan Das and trickled into the net to give the Super Machas a win against familiar rivals. For the Gaurs, Ferran Corominas and Edu Bedia, Brandon Fernandes and Mark Sifneos all came close to equalizing.
It could have been a disastrous start for the Gaurs after left back Narayan Das gave the ball away cheaply to Inigo Calderon on the right side of the box in an attempt to clear it. The Spanish full back however, skied his attempt at goal, giving the home side a massive let off within second of kick off.
Seriton Fernandes was then sent clear down the right and the Goan put in a good cross aimed at Ferran Corominas at the back post. However, the cross was a tad overhit and just evaded the Spanish striker. The visitors were lucky not to be a man down three minutes later when Dhanpal Ganesh shoved Manuel Lanzarote to the ground in full view of the referee after a coming together.
The Indian midfielder was shown a yellow card. The half was brewing into a proper midfield battle as both teams looked to dominate in the centre of the park. For the hosts, Edu Bedia and Ahmed Jahouh were pulling the strings while Raphael Augusto, Bikramjit Singh and Dhanpal Ganesh did the same for the visitors. From the resulting free-kick, Edu found himself in a good position but couldn’t get a foot on the ball to direct it past Karanjit Singh who held on easily.
The Super Machas could have taken the lead in the 26th minute after a counter-attacking move saw Jeje set up Calderon but the Spaniard failed to hit the target once again. The Gaurs were taking control of the match as the half wore on and created a few half chances but weren’t able to get the ball into the back of the net.
At the other end, Jeje could have had the opener in the 37th minute after a cross from the right was parried his way by Naveen Kumar. However, the keeper recovered and made another good stop to deny the Indian national striker.
The Goan attackers were struggling to create chances as the Chennai midfield and defence remained compact and denied them space. With time running out and neither team creating anything of note, the referee called for time on the half.
Chennaiyin started the second half the same way they did the first and should have had the lead within seconds of the restart. Gregory Nelson beat the challenge of Seriton down their left flank and crossed low for Jeje who tapped it goalwards.
Naveen got down low to get a hand to the shot and slow the ball down. But Narayan tracked back well and hit the ball out for a corner as it rolled towards the goal line. The visitors continued to pile on the pressure and move forward threateningly.
Calderon had another chance to give his side the lead in the 51st minute but hit his shot wide. Chennai’s pressure finally paid off in the 52nd minute. Gregory picked up a ball just outside the box and fired a fantastic left foot effort at goal.
Naveen dived well to his right to keep it out but Jeje picked up the parry and fired it across the box where Bruno and Narayan both seemed to have it covered but allowed the ball to slip through their legs and cross the line to give the away side the lead with the goal being awarded to Jeje. Sergio Lobera responded by bringing on Hugo Boumous and Chinglensana Singh for Bruno Pinheiro and Narayan.
The Gaurs pushed forward in numbers to get back into the game and could have done so in the 66th minute when Edu curled an effort towards the far post.
Unfortunately, his shot hit the crossbar and deflected wide. Coro had a brilliant chance to square the contest on the 70th minute mark when a misdirected shot from Boumos took a deflection off him and headed goalwards but Karanjit got in the way to make the stop.
Sergio’s charges bombed forward in numbers with substitute Hugo Boumous looking lively. However, the compact Chennai defence refused to allow any Goan attacker any space near their box. The Gaurs were getting closer and closer and Brandon could have had his side level in the 87th minutes with a stunning left footed curler.
Chennai were under the hammer and could have conceded a goal a minute later with Coro directed a poke from a low cross goalwards but Karanjit made another superb save to keep his side in it. The Gaurs’ claims for a penalty on Brandon were waved off after it looked like the winger had been brought down in the box.
Substitutes Boumous and Mark Sifneos almost combined for a late, late equalizer after the former put in a perfect cross for the Dutchman but he was unable to direct his header at goal. Despite their continued efforts to get level, the Gaurs were unable to take their chances and beat Karanjit Singh in goal as the referee called for full time after five stoppage minutes.
