ISL 2021-22: Jorge Ortiz helps Goa beat flat Chennaiyin

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:00 am

FC Goa players celebrate with goalscorer Jorge Ortiz.
FC Goa players celebrate with goalscorer Jorge Ortiz.
Vipin Pawar/Focus Sports/ ISL

FC Goa beat Chennaiyin FC 1-0 at the Athletic Stadium in Bambolim to snap their four-match winless streak. This came after Jorge Ortiz (82') broke the deadlock with a sublime long-range goal late into the game.

At the start, both teams took some time to get into any sort of rhythm in attack. Edwin Vanspaul was shown an early yellow card as the match began amidst tough physical clashes. The first major chance of the game fell to Jorge Ortiz on the 18th minute but Debjit Majumder was quick in closing down space to make a brave save inside the penalty box. A header from a corner by debutant Anwar Ali went wide five minutes past the half-hour mark.

Goa controlled more of the ball as the first half wore on and looked more likely to score the first goal of the night. Glan Martins tested the goalkeeper from long-range following which Ortiz hit the rebound into the side netting. Derrick Pereira's men grew in confidence in attack, but could not break through Chennaiyin's compact defence which meant both teams went into the halftime break on level terms. This after Goa survived a scare just before the whistle when Anwar Ali appeared to have handled the ball in his own box off a looping cross.

The second half was almost all Goa.

Chennaiyin survived a penalty shout when Jorge Ortiz appeared to have his shirt pulled in their box. Edu Bedia came close to scoring another Olympico with his corner kick hitting the post direct and staying out. The midfielder was then shown a yellow card moments later for a dangerous tackle on Nerijus Valskis. Vladimir Koman was taken off then due to an injury to be replaced by Germanpreet Singh. As the match reached the hour mark, it was one-way traffic with FCG dominating possession and creating scoring chances.

Naveen Kumar was finally called into action after he made a crucial save from Mirlan Murzaev on the 75th-minute mark. However, it took a moment of magic from Jorge Ortiz to break the deadlock. The forward found the back of the net with a sensational left-footed strike from long-range, leaving the Debjit flat-footed and motionless.

Chennaiyin FC will face Hyderabad FC in their next fixture at the PJN Stadium on Thursday while FC Goa is up against NorthEast United at the Athletic Stadium on Friday.