FC Goa scripted a pulsating 5-4 victory against Chennaiyin in their final Indian Super League (ISL) football clash.

Both teams have failed to qualify for the semifinals and were only playing for pride at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Chennaiyin took lead three times but Goa restored parity every time and went ahead in the 76th minute for the first time in the match .

Rafael Coelho put Goa in lead, scoring his second goal of the game. But Chennaiyin drew level in the 88th minute after substitute John Arne Riise converted a penalty.

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The match was moving towards a 3-3 draw until Sahil Tavora netted in added time.

FC Goa scored through a brace each from Rafael Coelho (6th minute, 76th), Sahil Tavora (68th and 90th) and Joffre Gonzalez (21st). Chennaiyin FC found the mark through Jerry Lalrinzuala (4th), Gregory Arnolin (own goal, 14th), Dudu Omagbemi (28th) and John Arne Riise (88th).

Chennaiyin led 3-2 at half-time.

The victory took Goa’s points tally to 14 but they still finished at the bottom of the table. Defending champions Chennaiyin finished seventh with 15 points in an extremely disappointing campaign for both last year’s finalists.

Chennaiyin surged ahead in the fourth minute itself when Jerry scored from a free-kick to dazzle goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani but Goa soon equalised as Coelho got hold of a through ball from Joffre Gonalez and then scored with ease.

Chennaiyin took the lead for the second time in the 14th minute when Anirudh Thapa’s shot that hit the post, struck Goa defender Gregory Arnolin and sailed into the net. Just like the first setback, Goa drew level for the second time, this time Joffre scoring from a penalty.

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The visitors enjoyed a 3-2 advantage at half-time as Dudu Omagbemi capitalised on a defensive lapse in the 28th minute.

In the second session, coach Zico made a couple of changes and Goa not just equalised through Sahil Tavora but also moved up for the first time as Rafael Coelho gave finishing touches to a brilliant long ball from Trindade Goncalves in the 76th minute.

The goal seemed enough for Goa to pocket full points as they fell back and defended but there was disappointment as Raju Gaikwad handled the ball, prompting the referee to award a penalty which Riise scored with ease.

Just when it seemed like the match would end in a draw, Sahil Tavora scored from the left, as his shot kissed the post and sailed into the net.

IANS

Delhi Dynamos fought back from a goal down to thump on FC Goa 5-1 in the Indian Super League clash on Sunday.

Brazilian striker Marcelinho Pereira scored a superb hat-trick with goals in the 38th, 48th and 56th minute while Richard Gadze scored the other two goals to help Delhi inch closer to a place in the semi-finals.

Delhi, which have now moved to the second spot with 20 points from 12 matches, however, are not yet guaranteed of a semi-final spot as yet as three other teams (Kerala Blasters, Atletico de Kolkata and NorthEast United) can all overtake their points tally if results go their way. Delhi requires two point from their last two matches to stand a chance of qualification to play-offs.

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In the first half of the Sunday match at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the teams were tied 1-1 after Fulganco Cardozo gave Goa the lead in the 31st minute but Marcelinho equalised seven minutes later. Delhi’s domination in the second session, however, stunned FC Goa as they conceded four goals in nine minutes.

Goa surged ahead just after half an hour’s play through Fulganco who tapped the ball inside an empty goal. Delhi equalised within seven minutes from a well-worked free-kick.

Florent Malouda chose to slide a ball through for Pereira on the left and the Brazilian striker made no mistake slamming the ball past Goa goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani.

In the second session, there was a complete transformation as Delhi scored four goals in nine minutes. Pereira started Delhi’s goal run in the 48th minute. He got a ball about 25 yards out, cut past Richarlyson who was marking him and then sent a rasping drive that beat Kattimani for the second time.

Gadze scored his first of the night in the 51st minute after Pereira turned provider and the Brazilian himself completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute. Gadze made it 5-1 in the 57th minute, beating the challenge of Raju Gaekwad and scored his second goal of the night.

The defeat left FC Goa rooted to the bottom with 11 points from 13 matches and they will be hugely embarrassed after suffering their biggest defeat in ISL.

IANS

A man-short FC Goa came back from behind to outsmart NorthEast United 2-1 with a strike at the death in an exciting and action-packed Indian Super League football match.

Reduced to 10 men after Sahil Tavora picked up his second yellow booking in the 72nd minute, the Goans fired the winner through Romeo Fernandes in the fourth and last minute of the injury time, picking up three full points and ushering in celebrations among the large crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium galleries.

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Earlier, NorthEast went into the lead in the 50th minute through Seityasen Singh, but Robin Singh restored parity 12 minutes later.

The Goa franchise now have 10 points from as many matches, though they still languish at the foot of the table.

NorthEast, who deserved to finish the evening as winners after a dominating show, are also on 10 points, but have played a match less.

The visitors ruled the first half, and were clearly unlucky not to the take the lead, with the woodwork twice standing between them and the goal.

Having the bulk of ball possession, and the more number of tries at the opponent’s goal, NorthEast endeavoured to fox their opponents with fast attacks.

The Goans, in contrast, looked subdued in the midfield and the opponent territory, but their goalkeeper-captain Laxmikant Kattimani and the all-Indian rearguard put up a solid display.

NorthEast, however, should have found the target towards the close of the opening session, as they pulverised the Goan defence with relentless moves.

In the 38th minute, Katsumi fed Gustavo Lazaretti, whose powerful header slammed into the post. Of the rebound Robert Cullen set up Mailson Alves, but the latter’s shot hit the bar.

Shortly later, NorthEast again came close to scoring, but Kattimoni thwarted the effort from Cullen.

After a goalless first half, NorthEast drew first blood, but it was a somewhat lucky goal. Katsumi Yusa’s curling corner from the left floated into the box, and Robin Singh’s half hearted headed clearance went only as far as to Seityasen, who cut in and let go an angular shot that deflected off Trindade Goncalves and foxed Akattimani.

NorthEast’s jubilation, however, proved shortlived. Goa went on the counter, and Fernandes addressed a measured centre into the box for Robin, who put the ball in.

Robin also played a crucial role in the late winner by setting up an unguarded Fernandes down the right. Fernandes dribbled past rival custodian Subrata Pal, kept his balance, and displayed fine marksmanship to send the ball into the empty net.

IANS

FC Goa edged past hosts FC Pune City 1-0 in an Indian Super League match. Rafael Luiz netted the all-important goal from a free-kick in the 32nd minute at the Balewadi stadium.

The win meant Goa went up to the seventh place, on seven points from eight games, pushing Pune to the bottom of the eight team tournament with six points from seven games.

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Pune are now winless in five straight matches while it was Goa’s only second victory of the competition.

FC Goa chief coach Zico made as many as five changes to the team that lost the last match at home against Delhi Dynamos. Zico preferred to strengthen his defence with three international players while goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani, Sanjay Balmuchu and Robin Singh also returned to the side.

FC Pune City coach Antonio Habas, who had never lost a match against Goa, made three changes, at least one necessitated with the two-match suspension of defender D Ravanan.

Pune dominated the early phase of the match. Midfielder Sanju Pradhan beat Goa’s Mandar Rao Dessai to essay a pass for striker Dramana Traore with five minutes gone, but defender Gregory Arnolin cleared it out.

Pune enjoyed more posession, with marquee man Mohammed Sissoko in the thick of things.

but they couldn’t convert that domination into goals.

Goa also had sighters on goal with Jofre Mateu, having been fed by Goa striker Robin Singh, blazed his shot high and wide.

Goa eventually took the lead in the 32nd minute. Joffre won a free-kick just outside the box after being brought down by Pune defender Augustine Fernandes.

Rafael stepped up and curled the ball well into the far corner of the nets, past Pune goalkeeper Edel Bete who was distracted by the presence of Robin Singh in the defensive wall.

Pune came close to securing the equaliser just before the half-time break as Jonatan Lucca cut past five Goa players but his shot was well saved by goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani.

In the second session, Pune could not breach the solid defensive line manned by captain Gregory Arnolin, Rafael Dumas and Luciano.

IANS

Delhi Dynamos FC secured their second win of this year’s Indian Super League (ISL) with a 2-0 triumph against FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Sunday evening.

Both goals came in the second half, following the introduction of Marcelinho. The winger scored first in the 72nd minute before setting up Richard Gadze four minutes later for a comfortably victory against last season’s runners-up.

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Goa came desperately close to taking the lead in the fifth minute after Rafael Coelho went in, but Toni Doblas just managed to get his finger-tips on the Brazilian’s attempted chip, which was still heading towards the goal until Anas Edathodika headed heroically off the line to concede a corner.

Julio Cesar was next to try his luck for Goa after a delightful pass by Coelho found him in a good position. He dragged his shot wide and failed to test Doblas this time around.

Delhi had three quick attempts on the goal soon after through Gadze. The Ghanaian’s first two shots were blocked by the Goa defence, while his third effort was safely collected by goalkeeper Subhasish Roy Chowdhury.

Mandar Rao Dessai came closest to breaking the deadlock in 26th minute when a thunderous left-footed shot from distance nearly took the paint off the post.

Gadze had another shot on goal three minutes later after Florent Malouda set him up. This time, the 22-year-old missed the target to Delhi’s despair.

Delhi’s last chance of the half also fell to Gadze. The Ghanaian drove at the defence before forcing Chowdhury into a save.

Romeo Fernandes had Goa’s last shot of the half, which required Doblas’ intervention to keep it 0-0 at half-time.

It was a slow start to the second period with the first shot of the half coming in the 56th minute through Bruno Pelissari, whose effort from range was straight down Chowdhury’s throat.

Cesar flicked on a Dessai cross from the left into a dangerous area two minutes later.

A desperate stretch by Luciano Sobrosa wasn’t enough to meet the 36-year-old’s flick-on, however, as the ball trickled across the face of the six-yard box and went behind for a goal-kick.

Marcelinho came off the bench for Delhi shortly after the hour mark and made his presence felt immediately with two quick attempts.

Sobrosa then had a cheeky effort on goal tipped over the bar by Doblas in the 66th minute.

The opening goal came six minutes later after some individual brilliance by Marcelinho. Delhi’s super-sub expertly controlled a long ball from Doblas before gliding past Goa’s defenders and unleashing a venomous shot into the back of the net.

Delhi sealed the result in the 76th minute after Marcelinho headed a Malouda cross that found him at the far post towards Gadze, who was on the edge of the six-yard box.

This time the Ghanaian striker made no mistake as he buried the ball into the bottom corner to give the Dynamos a two-goal cushion.

Delhi kept their shape and possession well in the final 10 minutes to run down the clock as Goa struggled to get on the goal.

IANS

Kerala Blasters FC came from behind to beat FC Goa 2-1 in an Indian Super League match. 

Goa made a positive start with a Julio Cesar goal in the 24th minute. Second half strikes by Mohammed Rafi and Kervens Belfort capped off a superb comeback by Kerala as they registered their first away win of the season.

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With the win, Kerala are fifth on the standings with eight points from six matches, Goa are placed at the bottom of the eight team tournament with four points from as many matches.

Rafi dragged a shot wide in the 14th minute after a good lay-off by Belfort had set up the Indian striker on the edge of the box. Kerala’s failure to make their early pressure pay was punished by Goa 10 minutes later.

A quality cross from the left by Richarlyson found Cesar in a good position at the far post. The Brazilian striker outjumped Josu Currais and rose highest to power in a header to make it 1-0 for the hosts.

Goa custodian Subhasish Roy Chowdhury was called into action again in the 35th minute when a Sandesh Jhingan flick-on from a Blasters free-kick looked goal-bound. The Goa shot-stopper was alert to the danger and just managed to tip the ball over the crossbar to maintain his side’s 1-0 advantage at the break.

Kerala found their equaliser right from the restart after Mehtab Hossain found Mohammed Rafique with space on the right. Rafique’s dangerous low cross across Goa’s six-yard box was met by Rafi’s left foot to make it 1-1.

Cesar went close to restoring Goa’s lead in the 54th minute with an effort from range that was fractions wide of Kerala’s goal. The Brazilian’s next attempt forced Kerala goalkeeper Nandy into a save nine minutes later after a powerful free-kick from far out required the Indian goalkeeper’s intervention low to his left.

Kerala had a huge opportunity of scoring the winner when striker Michael Chopra found the ball at his feet in the 80th minute. His shot was saved by Chowdhury.

Goa looked shaky in defence with the game approaching its climax. Defender Gregory Arnolin almost scored an own goal in the 83rd minute when an attempted header back to Chowdhury struck the frame of Goa’s goal.

Belfort scored the winner a minute later for Kerala. The Haitian received a on the left flank before driving at Goa’s defence and unleashing a thunderous effort from distance to make it 2-1 and settle the match.

IANS

FC Goa defeated Mumbai City FC 1-0 in the 19th match of the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Friday. Richarlyson Barbos scored in the 41st minute to provide a vital lead in an evenly contested match.

FC Goa, which was placed at bottom of the league points table with three defeats and a draw from four matches have now recorded their first win in cash-rich league while the hosts are currently at the second place on the points table.

Goa started off on a positive note but soon took the attack to the opposition as a long ball from midfield found Julio Cesar with only the goalkeeper but before he could pulled the trigger, Aibor tackled him and avoided the problem.

The success came in the 41st minute when Cesar passed the ball towards Richarlyson, who made a run from outside the box and slammed in the net to make it 1-0.

Mumbai had their chances in the second half but could not able to make the opportunities count as a result the game ended with FC Goa getting the full three points.

IANS