Chennaiyin dismantle Goa to take firm control of tie

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:16 am

Vipin Pawar / SPORTZPICS for ISL

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.