PANJIM: FC Goa began their Reliance Foundation Development League campaign with narrow 1-0 win over Chennaiyin FC played at Panchayat ground, Nagoa, on Friday.
Jovial Dias continued his form in RFDL scoring the lone goal of the game in the 72nd minute to ensure full points for FC Goa team.
Goa dominated most part of the game and looked to be in control of the game from the first whistle. Deggie Cardozo’s boys nearly scored the opener in the fourth minute when
Mevan Dias dribbled past his marker on the right flank before putting in a low cross for HP Lalremruata however, Chennaiyin FC player put up a timely tackle to clear the danger.
FC Goa almost took the lead when Lesley Rebello put the ball at the back of the net but it was flagged offside.
Chennaiyin, meanwhile resorted to play on the break and saw their best chance of the first half arrive in the 14th minute when Syed Pasha did well to swivel his way into a dangerous position. His attempt on goal, though, missed the far post by a whisker from an acute angle.
FC Goa created shooting opportunities of their own in the following minutes but failed to test Samik Mitra in the Chennaiyin goal with their attempts.
Chennaiyin began the second half with a newfound spirit and nearly took the lead in the 47th minute. Joseph Lalvenhima looked set to score when he was played in behind the FC Goa backline with a well-weighted through ball. The forward, one-on-one with the keeper was thwarted by Hrithik Tiwari in the FC Goa goal with the keeper rushing off the line in a timely fashion to pull off the crucial save for his side.
The Marina Machans looked destined to score the opener a few minutes later when a cut back from the right found Sufiyan Shaikh in the box. With the goal at his mercy, the forward saw his shot blocked by his own teammate, who was subsequently flagged offside.
FC Goa roared back into the game and made Chennaiyin pay for their lack of precision in the final third.
The 72nd minute of the game saw substitute Vasim Inamdar marauding down the left before putting in another brilliant low cross. This time around Jovial Dias was on hand to tuck the cross away, scoring the only goal of the game.
