FC Goa to face one of the AFC teams from India in the semi-final
FC Goa marched into the 132nd IndianOil Durand Cup semi-finals defeating Chennaiyin FC 4-1 in the third quarter-final at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, Guwahati.
Three of the foreign signings scored, Carl McHugh scored one and assisted one, Noah Sadoui scored his fifth of the tournament, Carlos Martinez his third, with Victor Rodriguez scored the final goal of the game.
Highlights of the game
The Marina Machans got an early goal, when off an Aakash Sangwan corner, floated high towards the far post, central defender Bikash Yumnam headed in powerfully.
FC Goa defender Seriton Fernandes, marking Bikash, could have shown more strength in the act.
Stung by the goal the Gaurs responded with vigor and Carlos Martinez almost equalized but hit the bar with a header.
Then Udanta misfired from close range. They had to wait till the half-hour mark to finally get on level terms.
Udanta and Brandon played on the right flank after which the former floated a cross which was headed back in front of the six-yard box by Noah from the far post.
Mchugh was at hand to place it past Chennaiyin keeper Samik, for his first goal in his very first game for his new club.
Noah almost put the Gaurs ahead a couple of minutes later, again getting behind an Udanta cross on the far post, but this time with only Samik to beat, misdirected his header.
The comeback was complete with a gem from yet another new signing, Spaniard Carlos Martinez Rodriguez. Udanta, who was peppering that right side, sent another menacing ball which was cleared by Sarthak.
But it only reached Sangwan nearby, who failed to control it and it fell for Carlos.
The experienced Spanish striker took a touch with his back to goal, then turned Sangwan in and with a sight at goal and the keeper in front, executed an audacious chip over the keeper.
Chennaiyin began more enterprising in the second half. Saviour Gama was booked for trying to stop one of those dangerous CFC forays by Jordan Murray just before the hour mark.
Chennaiyin’s pressure continued as Dheeraj brought up a brilliant save to deny Murray in the 72nd minute.
Ayush Sangwan’s free-kick on target was yet again warded off by Dheeraj.
Carl McHugh turned provider in the first minute of added time, finding Noah’s run inside the box, who brought it down beautifully to nail it past Samik with a shot on the turn.
The Chennaiyin custodian was then beaten for a fourth time when Boris laid into Victor’s path a couple of minutes later.
The substitute took a brilliant first touch to leave his marker behind and blasted a left-footer into the left top corner of the Chennaiyin net.
It was a job well done for the Gaurs and an evening to forget for the Marina Machans.
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