Horge Ortiz (center) cheers with his teammates after FC Goa took the lead against Chennaiyin FC.
With eight minutes left in the match, Spanish striker Jorge Ortiz's 'Long Ranger' shot was penetrating and this decisive goal gave FC Goa their first victory in the eighth season of the Indian Super League (ISL) under new coach Derrick Pereira. They beat former champions Chennaiyin FC 1-0 on Saturday night at the Athletic Stadium in Bamboli.
Last night's victory was FC Goa first win in five matches. FC Goa had drawn 3-1 and lost 1-1 to Bangalore FC on 11 December 2021 at Bamboli. FC Goa had drawn two and lost one of the three matches since Derrick took over as coach. Ortiz's goal helped him to victory on Sunday night as coach.
This was the third victory of FC Goa in 10 matches. The Gaurs now has 12 points and is ranked eighth on the points table. Chennaiyin had to concede a fourth defeat, retaining 14 points after 10 matches and retaining the sixth position. Chennaiyin suffered their third defeat in four matches.
FC Goa lead Spanish striker Jorge Ortiz gave FC Goa the lead in the 82nd minute. The 29-year-old striker slammed Chennai goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar on a powerful shot from a distance after taking control of the ball in the middle. This is Ortiz's fourth goal of the year and his tenth overall in the ISL.
Earlier, in the fiftieth minute of the match, Edu Bedia missed a chance to score on a direct corner kick. Chennaiyin's goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar and player Reagan Singh missed the mark on a powerful shot on the set piece, but the ball hit the goal post and no damage was done.
Goalless in the first half Both teams failed to score in the 45 minutes of the first half. Chennaiyin insisted that FC Goa’s Spanish Jorge Ortiz would not be bothered. In the first half, Chennai goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar's mistake could not fall on the path of FC Goa.
Majumder, goalkeeper of Chennaiyin FC, defends a corner kick during match 54 of season 8 of Indian Super League football tournament between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC, at the GMC Athletic Stadium
-PTI
Edu Bedia's corner kick was blocked by Debjit, but the ball went to FC Goa player Aiban Dohling. He had a chance in front of the goal. Earlier, in the 39th minute, Debjit thwarted Ortiz's attack and averted the crisis.
Anwar, first chance to Naveen Two players made their debut in the FC Goa squad on Saturday. Naveen Kumar has been given a chance to replace goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh, who has performed poorly in the last few matches on set pieces as well as on long ranger shots. Defender Anwar Ali made his ISL debut for FC Goa. Lithuania's Nerius Valskis, who has played six matches for Jamshedpur FC this season, has returned to the Chennai FC squad.