Rafael Coelho who’s one of three FC Goa players who have played for Chapecoense dedicated his goal to his former club by taking off his shirt to reveal the letters ‘Force Chape’. The Brazilian, who was put through behind the Chennaiyin defence by Joffre, forced the ball home despite Chennaiyin goalkeeper Karanjit Singh getting a hand to it.
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Rafael Coelho, Richarlyson and Reinaldo, the three Brazilian players who have been on the books of Chapecoense, have understandably had a difficult couple of days, as reiterated by their manager Zico ahead of the game, “Three of our Brazilians played for Chapecoense and all of us were very sad yesterday and even the Indian players were sad because it can happen to anybody, but I don't think it will affect the practice session as it is the end of the season.”
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“When a tragedy like this happens then the result in a game does not matter as lives are lost and we can feel what it is as we also travel a lot to play games. I lost some close people from this crash and I have never lost so many people at once, and I am so devastated” the Brazilian legend continued.
FC Goa ahead of the game, paid an emotional tribute to the Brazilian side, by unveiling a poster of ‘FORCA CHAPECOENSE’. Given the Portuguese connection the city has, it was only fitting to the whole atmosphere ahead of kick-off.
The Brazilian team Chapecoense were travelling to Medellin to play the final of Copa Sudamerica against Atletico Nacional when the tragedy happened. Out of the 81 passengers, only five have survived the crash, among which three were part of the Chapecoense squad travelling for the game.
FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, the teams in playing the fixture, both have failed to qualify for the playoffs of the ISL, despite being the finalists from last year. The season might be the last one for Marco Materazzi and Zico who have been the managers of Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa respectively for the first three seasons of the League.
The game finished 5-4 in the favour of FC Goa, who won it via a brace from local boy Sahil Tavora. Rafael Coelho, also made a telling contribution as he scored the first and third goal for Zico’s men.
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