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FC Goa kept their winning run and confirmed their spot for the semi-final with a fine 3-1 win over Chennaiyin FC as the Abhishek Bachchan co-owned side slumped to their first ever home defeat.Romeo Fernandes, Andre Santos and Miroslav Slepicka, who have been on the scoresheet most often for the Goans were at it again as they outsmarted the top-of-the-table Chenaniyin FC side.It was an interesting contest, leaving a lot of talking points, the top 5 being:
#1 Chennaiyin FC testing and resting Players
Having created history by being the first team to make it to the semi-finals, Chennaiyin FC did a bit of tinkering to their line-up by giving chances to Jayesh Rane upfront with Cristian Hidalgo and Bruno Pellisari occupying places in the midfield and Shilton Pal guarding the post while players like Balwant Singh, Dhanachandra Singh, and Gennaro Bracigliano being rested in light of the semi-finals and giving the players on the bench some run.
Chennaiyin FC having nothing to lose in the game decided to test the bench and rest a few of their frontline players so that a case doesnt arise where there is an urgent need for replacement and the player on the bench has no game time under his belt.
FC Goa on the other hand decided to stick to the winning formula.
#2 FC Goa take their chances and qualify for the semi-finals
In the half that was dictated by the home side, FC Goa pounced on the chances that fell their way getting well ahead of the game and putting the game a little away from the reach of the Abhishek Bachchan co-owned side.
While Chennaiyin FC enjoyed more share of the ball and time in the opposition half and box, they failed to put one past Seda, while FC Goa were clinical and converted two of the very few chances that fell their way in the first half.
Chennaiyin FC struggled to get past a resolute FC Goa side and it was only through the last touch of the game that the home side managed to get off the mark in the game as the substitute Maurice calmly curled the ball into the back of the net.
This helped FC Goa get to 21 points and confirm a place in the semi-final.
#3 Chennaiyin FC miss big names; lose first home game
Chennaiyin FC had been on a great run buoyed by the driving and consistent performances of Brazilian midfield maestro Elano Blumer and Colombia forward Steven Mendoza who ran riot in the Indian Super League and took the game by storm, scoring and creating a number of goals for the team.
Unfortunately for the Dhoni co-owned outfit, both their star players got injured in the same game and have failed to recover till date which has made the team lose the momentum and it was most evident in the game today as Chennaiyin faced an in-form FC Goa outfit.
Chennaiyin FC not only failed to take their chances, but also found it tough to break the FC Goa shield and defence at critical times, which allowed FC Goa to win the ball back and hit on the counter
#4 Hero of the Match-Romeo Fernandes
The 22-year-old Indian winger, touted to be the next big thing in Indian football has had a amazing recent run of form and today was no different as the Dempo player put FC Goa in the ascendency with a clinical finish, reacting swiftly to the loose ball and thumping it into the back of the net past Shilton.
Romeo Fernandes got his chance when Gabriel Fernandes got injured and the winger hasnt looked back, putting in splendid performances one after the other and earning a start in the line-up. Romeo Fernandes not only boasts of fiery pace, but is also game-intelligent, getting into goal scoring positions and reacting quickly.
After a rather drab start to the game where Romeo was being forced to fall back and inside, preventing him using his forte, unless the FC goa side absorbed well and hit Chennaiyin FC.
Romeo now has 3 Hero of the Match Awards under his belt; highest for an Indian player.
#5 FC Goa give Chennaiyin FC a dose of their own medicine
Chennaiyin FC were often being compared to Chelsea for more reasons that one. Chennaiyin FC were not only producing results, but were compact in defence, played and hit on the counter and boasted of some technically gifted and skilful players in their ranks.
It was a different day today. The result speaks that loud as well. While FC Goa is known for playing a passing game with flair, Chennaiyin FC were seen adopting the style and play a high momentum game, while FC Goa were ready to sit back, absorb the pressure and hit back, knowing the fragilities of the Chennaiyin FC line-up in the absence of the star names.
FC Goa did their task really well and the smart tactician Zico is, his new formation allows them play in different ways and he adapted his team to play the way to break the difficult Chennaiyin FC code.
