Sullivan Noronha
sullivan@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: The dreams of a thousand Goans were shattered within a matter of two minutes as Chennaiyin FC effected a superb late come back victory. Goa looked to be cruising towards victory after Joffre netted a free kick late in the match. With only three minutes of regulation time and then stoppage time to play out, Goa crumbled, and they did so in spectacular fashion, despite raucous support from the home crowd.
After an entertaining, but goalless first period, both teams would have been happy going into the second period. With the backing of the entire stadium, Goa would have expected to be able to edge the contest. However, this was not to be after Pronay Halder’s tackle from behind on Stiven Mendoza cost the team a penalty. It was a silly foul to give away with Mendoza moving away from goal. Laxmikant Kattimani however, stepped up and saved Pelissari’s spot kick but in the process, ended up parrying it straight back to the midfielder who tapped into an empty net.
Goa however, roared straight back into the contest after a superb Romeo Fernandes cross saw Haokip ghost past the defence to toe poke it past Edel Bete. The goal sparked wild celebrations in the crowd but to their dismay, Kattimani brought Mendoza down one more time in the box. But yet again, the goalkeeper stepped up to save the spot kick.
The stadium went wild yet again and were hopeful. As the game seemed like it would peter out into a tame finish by the end of regulation time, it suddenly sparked back into life. A free kick on the edge of the Chennai box saw Joffre step up and smash it past the goal keeper. The Spaniard went on a victory run as the fans cheered his name. With only minutes left to play, Goa were on their way to edging their name on the trophy.
But luck played dealt a cruel hand to the home side. A long ball towards the goal keeper saw Kattimani jump in an attempt to parry the ball and in the process, team mate Halder took him out. The ball managed to trickle past the line to bring Chennai level. Almost immediately, Goa looked to attack but were caught on the counter. As the ball fell to Mendoza, it looked all but certain that he would beat Gregory, his marker and he did to side foot past a hapless Kattimani to send the Chennai camp into delirium.
Goa were only a matter of minutes away, but the trophy was violently snatched away from their grasp.
