Marina Machas hold Gaurs in tight contest

FATORDA: Substitute Anirudh Thapa cancelled out Manuel Lanzarote’s second half opener in the first leg of the semi-final match between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC in a tight contest at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday. 

The Marina Machas will take an important away goal back to Chennai when they face off against the Gaurs on March 13. 

It was the home side that started the match on the front foot and it didn’t take them long to register their first chance. Mandar Rao Dessai evaded the challenge of two defenders down the left and crossed low towards Ferran Corominas but the Spaniard wasn’t able to direct the ball goalwards. 

The Gaurs began to get back in the game as time ticked on and started to dominate the ball again. It didn’t take them long to finally break the deadlock when Mandar skipped past Inigo Calderon in the 64th minute and put a dangerous low ball into the box which landed at the feet of Edu. 

The midfielder allowed Coro to take possession and he shot it towards the far post. The ball was blocked on the line, but Lanzarote reacted quickest to poke it home from close range to send Fatorda into frenzy. 

Despite their one goal lead though, the Gaurs continued to press the away side but Chennaiyin came right back into the game to take a massive advantage after Gregory caught the defence napping, ran through the midfield and passed it to substitute Anirudh Thapa on the right who took a touch and slotted it past Kattimani with ease. 

The Gaurs had it all to do after that as the Marina Machas had an all-important away goal.

Sergio’s charges were pushing forward aggressively and received a free kick in a good position on the right deep into stoppage time. 

Edu stepped up to curl it towards Jahouh who got on to the end of it but couldn’t direct it back across the box as the referee called for full time immediately after.