Captain Crivellaro runs the show as Chennaiyin defeats Goa

In a game that saw 39 shots at goal, Rahim Ali (53’) scored the match-winner after Jorge Ortiz (9’) cancelled out Rafael Crivellaro’s (5’) opener. Brandon Fernandes returned to the side as Goa coach Juan Ferrando named three changes to the line-up that lost against ATK Mohun Bagan (ATKMB), with Aiban Dohling and Jorge Ortiz being the other two.

Following the 0-0 draw against NorthEast United FC (NEUFC), coach Csaba Laszlo preferred to start with Anirudh Thapa and Crivellaro. And the duo troubled the FC Goa defence from the first whistle. CFC fired warning shots early in the game. Thapa made a darting run on the right and cut the ball back to Crivellaro. The latter’s first-time shot was pushed behind by Mohammad Nawaz.

The away side was soon ahead in the game and it came from a moment of individual brilliance. Crivellaro got his corner-kick to loop over the Goa defenders and land in goal. But the lead lasted for just four minutes as the Gaurs came up with an instant response in the 9th minute.

Ortiz found Alexander Romario Jesuraj on the right, who squared the ball back to the Spaniard. His shot found the roof of the net. Chennaiyin displayed attacking prowess in the first half and should have been up by two or more goals. But a couple of missed sitters from Crivellaro and Lallianzuala Chhangte along with Nawaz’s brilliance in the Goa goal saw the scores remain level. The visitor had yet another chance to go ahead just before the break.

But, Chhangte failed to keep his composure in front of the goal. Reagan Singh’s effort from left was saved by Nawaz but the ball fell to an unmarked Chhangte, who once again failed to direct his shot at goal. Nothing changed in the game post resumption.

CFC continued its poor form upfront with Crivellaro being the culprit this time. Chhangte played a low cross from the left to an unmarked Crivellaro, but he blazed his shot over the bar. Brandon then tried his luck from a distance with a curling shot, but Vishal Kaith did well to deny him.

Chennaiyin finally got its deserved lead in the 53rd minute when Crivellaro kept his composure in beating James Donachie before playing a low cross at the far post, where substitute Ali tapped the ball into the empty net.