PANJIM: Jorge Ortiz struck a 82nd match-winner for Gaurs as FC Goa registered a solitary goal win over Chennaiyin FC, just their third win in the Indian Super League this season at Athletic Stadium, Bambolim, on Saturday.
For Ortiz, it was his fourth goal of the campaign and it was evident the goal would be coming from the Spaniard, who had been probing throughout to get on the score sheet. His goal not only gave FC Goa full points, but also a hope for Derrick to keep his side in the race for the top four finish.
FC Goa were dominant as ever, having nearly two-third of the ball possessions forcing Chennaiyin FC to defensive play.
FC Goa had wealth of possession and opportunities in the first session but had to walk into the breather with the scoreboard blank. Chennaiyin FC had their goalkeeper Debjit Majumder to thank for the goalless 45 minutes. The custodian was the difference as it was his brilliance in the goal which denied Jorge Ortiz and Glan Martins from scoring on a couple of occasions.
Though the chances were created, FC Goa were stopped from getting the desired goal by a stubborn Chennaiyin FC defence.
Nothing changed in the second session. FC Goa picked from where they had left and kept looking for the goal. FC Goa were denied an early penalty where it looked like Narayan Das handled the ball and later pulled Ortiz’s shirt inside the box.
FC Goa’s Edu Bedia nearly scored another beauty from a corner but was denied by the crossbar this time. Bedia came close once again where it nearly looked to find the net, but his snapshot whizzed past the post.
Chennaiyin FC, who were mainly reliant on counter attack, had their first real chance in the 75th minute. Lukasz Gikiewicz robbed Glan Martins in the midfield for a quick break where Mirlan Murzaev’s right foot shot from outside the box was brilliantly saved by FC Goa custodian Naveen Kumar.
The breakthrough arrived in the 82nd minute when Jorge Ortiz got the ball in the middle of the park. The Spaniard on seeing Debjit off his line, flew a shot with his stronger left foot which past the keeper into the right top corner. All Debjit could do this time was watch the ball enter the goal.
FC Goa’s Anwar Ali had a brilliant game in the defence and was rightly named as the hero of the match. It was a brilliant team performance by FC Goa and the side would be delighted and content with the three points if not for the goals.
