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 "Handshake Row: India didn’t do anything out of ordinary, athletes have often registered protests like this")
Preview: FC Goa face Chennaiyin FC in the second leg of their Indian Super League semifinals, looking to overturn a 4-1 deficit, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Saturday. FC Goa will be boosted by the return of Edu Bedia who missed the first leg game in Chennai — which they lost 1-4 — due to personal reasons. There is more good news as Brandon Fernandes and Hugo Boumous, who were injured for last week’s tie, are back in contention for a start. Boumous, in particular, has been in spectacular form this season having scored 10 and assisted 11 in 14 matches. With the return of Brandon, FC Goa would hope for better deliveries from wide positions, something which was missing from their game in the first leg. Ferran Corominas will play as a number nine after playing as a withdrawn forward in the last game. The Spanish striker has 14 goals to his name this season and FC Goa need his goals now more than ever. Interim coach Clifford Miranda will have a decision to make as to whether he would deploy an all-attacking line-up of Bedia, Boumous and Corominas or choose to go with two foreign centre-backs in Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena. “We have to win to overcome the deficit, but that does not mean we go all out from minute one. It’s 90 minutes and more and whatever football that I know, it is not decided in the first 10 to 15 minutes. It will be till the final whistle and we will take it minute-by-minute,” Miranda said. Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC would look to score first and make the task even more improbable for the home side. Should Chennaiyin find the back of the net, FC Goa would need at least five goals to move to the final. Chennaiyin head coach Owen Coyle has mentioned that his players would not be lackadaisical in the second leg, despite enjoying a three-goal lead. He would also ask for an improved performance from the front three of Nerijus Valskis, Rafael Crivellaro and Andre Schembri who had a quiet game by their standards in Chennai. FC Goa also need to keep a check on the Chennaiyin attackers who are more than capable of hurting the opponent through a quick counter-attack. “When you have any sort of advantage, it’s good to have that. That being said, we know we have a very dangerous match. Over the course of the 18 games in the league, they have been the best team,” said Coyle. F or the full Indian Super League schedule, click here For all the results from this Indian Super League season, click here For the Indian Super League points table, click here Content courtesy: PTI
ISL 2020 playoffs, Match Highlights, FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC: Chennai survive late onslaught to book berth in final
Get all the latest updates as Firstpost.com covers the second leg of the play-off tie between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC.
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That’s it from us folks!
We were witness to some truly spectacular football, a whole lot of action and some nail-biting drama, and there’s a lot more of that to come when Bengaluru play ATK on Sunday. The defending champions have a slim one-goal lead heading into the fixture, which doesn’t mean a whole lot, especially considering the fact that they are up against the attacking might of ATK. Do make sure to tune back in at 7:30 pm tomorrow, because we’ll be right here, with all the latest updates from that match. Until then, goodbye and goodnight.
FT | FCG 4 – 2 CFC (5-6)
It seemed like it would be a relatively easy night for Chennaiyin FC, who came into this match with a three-goal lead. It wasn’t. Goa managed to cut the lead down to just one goal on two separate occasions, on either side of Chennaiyin’s two second-half strikes, and Chennaiyin were pushed all the way to their limits. However, the Owen Coyle side displayed incredible grit and determination to hang on, and are deservingly through to the final.
91’ | FCG 4 – 2 CFC (5-6)
FC Goa get a free-kick thanks to a hand ball. Brandon Fernandes whips in an excellent ball, but it’s straight down the keeper’s throat. Mourtada Fall then fluffs an excellent chance a few minutes later, trying to head a ball at knee-level when he should’ve just put his foot through it. There’s four minutes of added time, not as much as FC Goa would have hoped for, but enough, maybe.
Live footage from the Firstpost.com office
via GIPHY80’ | FCG 4 – 2 CFC (5-6)
Typical. Just typical. No sooner had I said that this was done, Edu Bedia scores a goal to inject some tension back into this game. I mean, it’s far from close, FC Goa still need three more goals. Wait. Scratch that. They need two more goals. Mourtada Fall has just scored a header. We have a game on our hands!!
78’ | FCG 2 – 2 CFC (3-6)
Mourtada Fall is now essentially a striker, and to his credit, he’s shown some good movement for a man his size. The problem FC Goa face however, is that Chennaiyin still look like they could score at any time. I might be putting the cart in front of the horse here, but I think we can stick a fork in this it’s done.
Owen Coyle 15 minutes later
via GIPHYOwen Coyle at half-time
via GIPHY59’ | FCG 2 – 2 CFC (3-6)
Nerijus Valskis does what he does best, and scores under pressure! The goal comes from a corner in which FC Goa fail to pick up the striker, who spins away from defenders and fires in his header from close range. This is essentially the death knell for Goa’s qualification. They need to score four goals in half an hour. The word unlikely doesn’t even begin to do the situation justice.
52’ | FCG 2 – 1 CFC (3-5)
You had one job Goa! Don’t concede. And yet, somehow Lallianzuala Chhangte is allowed to score the easiest goal of his life. Much of this is down to some truly awful keeping from Nawaz, who pushes a relatively simple shot straight into the path of Chhangte. This goal is vital for Chennai, and it’s taken the wind out of Goa’s sails.
48’ | FCG 2 – 0 CFC (3-4)
Oh my word, Jackichand misses a chance, and that one was put on a platter for him! To be fair, it does bounce a bit before reaching him, but you’d expect someone named after Jackie Chan to display a bit more dexterity. Look within, young Jackichand. Float like butterfly, sting like bee and all that
HT | FCG 2 – 0 CFC (3-4)
What a first half this has been for FC Goa. They’ve been the better side on every front, and Chennaiyin FC have been tossed about like rag dolls in their wake. Can Chennaiyin hold on and see this game through, or will FC Goa get the win? We’re 45 minutes away from finding out
40’ | FCG 2 – 0 CFC (3-4)
FC Goa are controlling the game now, and have dropped the pace considerably. It makes sense, they can protect their 2-0 lead until half-time, and then press for the third foal in the second half. Now that they’re more calm and organised, Chennai look very disjointed up front, and none of their attacks are really coming even close to turning into real viable opportunities.
22’ | FCG 2 – 0 CFC (3-4)
The goal has come at a cost for Goa however, with Hugo Boumous going down injured. He’s replaced by Edu Bedia, and it looks like it’s serious, as Boumous is carried out on a stretcher. If FC Goa get to the final, this could be a problem for them. Boumous has been involved in 21 goals, and he’s a vital asset.
21’ | FCG 2 – 0 CFC (3-4)
Lenny Rodrigues wins a free-kick on the edge of Chennaiyin’s penalty area. Brandon stands over it, takes a look at where everyone’s standing, and delivers an absolute peach of a ball. Mourtada Fall seems to rise in slow motion, his gigantic frame ever so slowly leaving Earth and achieving liftoff to meet the ball, before thundering in an excellent header.
18’ | FCG 1 – 0 CFC (2-4)
We’re not watching football anymore, this is more akin to fencing, with move after move being executed with blinding speed. Chennaiyin FC have responded well to going behind, but Goa look just as threatening. I’m feeling winded just watching this one.
11’ | FCG 1 – 0 CFC (2-4)
Oh my word, Lucian Goian has scored an own goal! What was he thinking there? The Chennaiyin defender puts a cross from Jackichand Singh into his own net with a spectacular diving header. He’s scored in three matches in a row now, but he might not be rushing to claim this one! FC Goa are in with a chance here!
5’ | FCG 0 – 0 CFC (1-4)
And there’s a shot on target for Chennaiyin! It came from a Crivellaro free-kick, and it was from too far out to really trouble the FC Goa goalkeeper, but it’ll serve to remind Goa that they cannot afford to concede another goal.
2’ | FCG 0 – 0 CFC (1-4)
FC Goa have started this match like a dog let off its leash, and almost instantly, Lalrinzuala gives away a free-kick on the edge of Chennai’s penalty area. Jahouh takes the set-piece and lofts it to Pena at the far post, whose header is wide. Early sign of intent from the Gaurs.
1’ | FCG 0 – 0 CFC (1-4)
And we’re underway! Can FC Goa pull off what would surely be one of the greatest comebacks ever in the brief history of the Indian Super League> On the face of it, it seems pretty similar. They need to score three goals, a feat they’re more than capable of managing. But concede even once and it instantly becomes more complicated. Let’s see how it unfolds.
Boosted by key players’ return, Gaurs hope for miracle in second leg semi-final
Their semi-final first-leg loss came almost out of nowhere, and while it looks pretty difficult on paper with the Gaurs currently trailing 1-4, the equation is pretty simple: Win the match by a scoreline of 3-0 or more without conceding within the usual 90 minutes.
Click here to read more of PN Vishnu’s preview of tonight’s match!
There’s not much separating these two
Coming back from three goals down in a major semi-final would definitely be one way of making it special
Coming back from three goals down in a major semi-final would definitely be one way of making it special
The visitors remain unchanged from the first-leg fixture
Here’s how the hosts will line up!
Hello and welcome to our coverage of the Indian Super League playoffs!
FC Goa have a mountain to climb, having been subjected to a 4-1 defeat in the first leg of their semi-final against Chennaiyin FC. The Gaurs will be relying heavily on home advantage, and will need to come out swinging. Chennaiyin FC, on the other hand, cannot afford to play too defensively against a team with the attacking might of Goa, and will need to find balance in their play. All in all, this looks like an absolute cracker, so stay tuned for live updates!