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Goals from Lucian Goian, Anirudh Thapa, Eli Sabiá and Lallianzuala Chhangte helped Chennaiyin FC crush FC Goa 4-1 in the first leg of the ISL semi-final at home on Saturday. Goa, who were without their top assist maker Hugo Boumous as well as midfielder Brandon Fernandes, made a sedate start as Chennai dominated the first half, hitting the bar once and forcing goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz into numerous saves. Goian finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute with a towering header off a free-kick from the left. Anirudh Thapa made it 2-0 in the 61st minute with a spectacular strike from outside the box, finding the top corner with a curling effort. Eli Sabia then made it three in the 77th, moving in ahead of his marker for a tap-in from Nerijus Valskis' cross. Lallianzuala Chhangte put the tie virtually beyond Goa's reach with a neat left-footed finish from the left side of the box. Substitute Saviour Gama did get a crucial away goal for the visitors with a toe-poke late on, but Goa would need nothing short of a miracle to force a turnaround in the second leg on March 7.
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GOA
