An 82nd minute winner from Jorge Ortiz helped FC Goa get back to winning ways as they had eked out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chennaiyin FC.
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One would be forgiven to be taken aback by FC Goa’s performance on Saturday night against Chennaiyin in the Indian Super League match. The Gaurs looked dominant and in complete control of the tempo and their fate. They had to dig deep against a stubborn Chennaiyin side that has proved to be a tough nut to crack. The Gaurs finally did prevail – on the backs of a wonder goal and what can be considered one of their best displays to date this season. It wasn’t the best of preparations for FC Goa heading into Saturday’s game as a COVID scare meant that the players had to be in isolation for a period of time. That meant that Derrick Pereira and his men had just one practice session before the game.Â
“This was a win that we can be proud of,” stated Derrick Pereira following the match. “The conditions heading into the game were less than ideal. Fitness is one thing. Add to it the psychological aspect, one can see how much the odds were against us. I’m happy to get my first win, but I’m more happy with the effort that the guys have put in the game. Everyone knew their role and played their part.”
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The three points though seems to have afforded the Gaurs a second chance to dream about securing a place in the playoffs. “The three points were vital for us at this stage of the competition,” added Pereira. “This was one of our better displays and this win gives us some much needed confidence going into the second half of the season.
“The defense has become better with each passing game and I feel the clean sheet was well deserved. We have to be better at finishing off the chances we are creating.”
The Gaurs will look to build on the momentum when they launch themselves into the second half of the season on January 14 against NorthEast United.
An 82nd minute winner from Jorge Ortiz helped FC Goa get back to winning ways as they had eked out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Chennaiyin FC in Bambolim, Goa. The win, FC Goa’s first in 5 games, was also the first under Derrick Pereira as they recorded their first clean sheet of the season.
The game looked to be headed towards a stalemate despite the Gaurs peppering the Chennaiyin goal. However, Ortiz’s fourth of the season – a thunderbolt from distance late on – helped Gaurs latch on to all three points.
