Goa sink Chennaiyin; qualifies for semis

FC Goa humiliated Chennaiyin FC in-front of their home crowd with a 3-1 win to clinch a semifinal berth in the Indian Super League here on Friday.

The team coached by legendary Zico now have 21 points from 13 games — just a point less than table toppers Chennayin.

Romeo Fernandes (23rd), Brazilian Andre Santos (41st) and Cezch striker Miroslav Slepicka (62nd) scored for the winners while Jean Maurice reduced the margin for Chennai in the stoppage time.

It was a match that was completely dominated by Goa save first 15 minutes as they went all out in attack from the onset. Goa got the goal against the run of play when Mandar Desai’s left-footed pile-driver richocheted against the horizontal before falling to Romeo, who stabbed it home with a left-footer before custodian Shilton Paul could react. Goa made it 2-0 due to defensive lapse on Chennayin’s part as Slepicka found an unmarked Santos, whose left-footed angular placement beat Shilton.

After the change of ends, it was another punch that rocked the Chennai citadel when Narayan Das’s punch was barely parried away by Paul as Slepicka lurking around made no mistake with the rebound to make it 3-0. Chennai made it 3-1 in the dying moments but that was too late in the day.

Delhi to face Pune

Sixth placed Delhi Dynamos badly need full points to remain in the hunt for a semifinal berth as they lock horns with FC Pune City, two rungs above on the ladder on Saturday.
A win for Delhi at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Stadium, Pune could propel them to the fourth spot, displacing Pune.