FC Goa scored two goals, during the moments they shone the most, and it was enough for them to record an odd goal from three to win over Chennaiyin FC in the second knock out of ISL 10 to secure a semi-final berth against Mumbai City FC at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda, on April 24.
Both teams started cautiously but it was FC Goa that at times threw caution to the winds and the strategy delivered with the hosts scoring two goals in the first session and the second by captain Brandon Fernandes being the best goal of ISL 10 at home.
The hosts were the first to cut through the rival defence twice in the first ten minutes and on both occasions Noah – who scored the opener for FC Goa – found it difficult to pulverise Chennaiyin goalkeeper Debjit Majumder who starred for his team.
With both teams opting for the safety valve, the first half, apart from the three goals of the match, had little entertainment value with supporters of both teams on an inconsistent emotional swell.
Noah’s goal was not out of the ordinary but it was captain Brandon’s second that saw the Fatorda stadium burst into emotion. Brandon, collected the ball from the centre, ran where he saw space and let go a shot that kissed the horizontal before bouncing in.
FC Goa saw a switch in strategy after the water break with Noah shifting right and the team’s plan B added a potent spark to their forays forward with the visitors tentatively looking out of place.
As it appeared that FC Goa were going for the lemon break with a two goal cushion, Chennaiyin pulled a goal back – in a goal mouth melee that ensued through a corner – to keep hopes of a comeback alive.
FC Goa started the second half with caution, whilst Chennaiyin stepped up their gas but it was not sufficient as the former fell back when the occasion demanded, giving the Chennaiyin strikers little leeway.
Chennaiyin FC coach Owen Coyle rung in a number of changes around the 50th minute, opting for an attacking dice by substituting defender Lazar Cirkovic with midfielder Rafael Crivellaro.
The early change, saw the visitors get the best opportunity to break even – in the 58th minute – with three goal-bound attempts, with FC Goa goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh all over, the ball refused the kiss of the nets, each time deflected by an orange body.
In this period, FC Goa did try to counter attack but Noah found it difficult to beat Debjit who had a crack of a day between the Chennaiyin posts with his anticipation and ability to read the flight and pace of the ball.
FC Goa defender Odei Zabala made a goal line save in the second half but through the match one thing was clear – the team has still been unable to find a replacement to Anwar Ali.
Seriton was introduced in the second half but it really did not matter much with Carl Mchugh having to play deep midfield right through the season for FC Goa with occasional bursts forward.
FC Goa plays Mumbai City in the first semi-final at home and the outcome of the game could well determine the team that will make it to the 10th ISL final. That FC Goa has reached the semi-final justifies the acquisition of Manolo Marquez Roca.