ISL 2015: FC Goa 0-4 Chennaiyin FC - 5 Talking Points

Mendoza and Elano lit up the pitch in styleAfter two indifferent performances that resulted in them taking no points from their first two games, Chennaiyin FC got their ISL campaign back on track with a resounding 4-0 thrashing of FC Goa at a rather subdued Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda. Colombian John Stiven Mendoza was the hero for Chennaiyin as he helped himself to a hat-trick – only the second in the history of the ISL, and he was ably supported by the likes of Elano and Jayesh Rane, as Chennaiyin made it a night to forget for the hosts. Here are 5 of the main talking points from the game. Note: All pictures used in this piece are courtesy of the ISL.

#1 Materazzi\'s changes pay dividends

As was the case for Chennaiyin’s second game in Delhi, manager Marco Materazzi once again made four changes to his starting lineup. Out went Abhishek Das, Alessandro Potenza, Manuele Blasi and Balwant Singh, who were very ably replaced by Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Raphael Augusto and Jayesh Rane.

The experienced Wadoo slotted in at right back and put in a very assured performance, as he snuffed out any threat that Mandar Rao Desai could conjure up on Goa’s left flank. In midfield, the Brazilian Augusto controlled the tempo of the game perfectly, as he picked his passes out willfully, and absolutely overpowered Denson Devadas and Leo Moura in the Goa midfield.

But of the four that came in to the team, perhaps the most eye-catching performance came from Jayesh. The young Mumbaikar was a constant nuisance for Goa’s defenders with his smart runs and relentless pressing. Jayesh capped off a fabulous first half by putting Elano through to double Chennaiyin’s lead. And he continued in the second half, where he was always an outlet for the likes of Augusto and Elano to find.

#2 Goa fall flat

It was hard to believe that the Goa side who took the field today was exactly the same one that played against Atletico de Kolkata four days ago. The vibrancy and desire were completely missing, as Goa looked jaded and tired. That was rather perplexing because Goa have played all their three games at home so far, compared to Chennaiyin, who after their opening game at home, travelled to Delhi and then to Goa. But Chennaiyin looked much sharper, much more purposeful and seemed to want it more than Goa.

The likes of Jayesh and Thoi Singh epitomized the difference between the two sides, as they never let Goa have the ball without any pressure on them. Goa’s full-backs, Debabrata Roy and Keenan Almeida were constantly pressured into playing poor passes, which the likes of Elano and Mendoza made them pay for.

#3 Elano back on track

Like much of the Chennaiyin squad, Elano didn’t match his usually lofty standards in the first two games. Much was expected from the mercurial Brazilian, who won the Golden Boot in ISL 2014, but he didn’t quite live up to those expectations. But in this game, he was in his element right from the first minute, as he was able to spray passes all over the pitch without too much fuss.

It must have helped Elano, that Materazzi decided to use pace as a weapon against the aging legs of the two Goa Centre Backs, Lucio and Gregory Arnolin. Both Mendoza and Jayesh constantly got in behind Goa’s defense, and Elano was putting the ball exactly where they wanted it.

To cap off a fabulous performance, Elano took his goal well, but he could have had another, when a cut back from Thoi found him in space in the box, but his shot was straight at the Goa ‘keeper.

The Samba magic seems to have got back. Oppositions will do very well to ensure Elano doesn’t cause them too much damage henceforth.

#4 Hat-Trick Hero

For only the second time in the 70-game history of the ISL, an individual hat-trick was scored. And it was a throughly deserved one for Mendoza. The little Colombian constantly troubled the Goa rearguard with his pace, and it was a surprise that he got only three on the night.

With a little better decision-making and a little more decisiveness, Chennaiyin could have perhaps got a few goals more, but take nothing away from an outstanding display, otherwise. Mendoza combined brilliantly with Elano and Jayesh, and the triumvirate gave Zico plenty to worry about.

What sets Mendoza apart, other than his blistering pace is his incredible composure in front of goal. For his first two goals, he was picked out perfectly by Elano, but there was plenty of work left to do, especially for his second goal, which was a delightful chip over the onrushing Andrade.

The goal that got him his hat-trick was definitely the best on the night. He was picked out by Bruno Pelissari, and after taking one touch with his chest, he absolutely thumped the ball past Andrade, giving the ‘keeper absolutely no chance.

#5 Goa could have made a fight of it

Early in the second half, there were a couple of threats that Goa posed. Some confusion between Bernard Mendy and Mailson Alves in Chennaiyin’s defense saw Reinaldo have a free shot at goal. The Brazilian however, leaned back and skied his shot.

A few minutes later, Goa had legitimate call for a penalty denied. Jofre got into the Chennaiyin box, and just as he was about to pull the trigger, he received a kick on the back of his shin from Sena Ralte. As replays showed, it was an absolute stonewall penalty, that the referee missed. Goa would be even more frustrated with that decision as Chennaiyin scored their third a couple of minutes later, effectively killing the game.

Goa had another claim denied late on, as sweet strike from CS Sabeeth seemed to have crossed the line after hitting the underside of the bar, but that was not given.