Andrea fernandes
MARGAO
Colombian Stiven Mendoza and Brazilian Elano Blumer combined excellently as Chennaiyin FC handed FC Goa their first defeat of the season with a 4-0 victory in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) match at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here, on Sunday.
The 18,888 fans were dejected and were on their way out in the 75th minute when Mendoza struck his hat-trick, the first of this seasons ISL.
Chennaiyin FC held the edge over their opponents last season on both the occasions and the Abhishek Bachchan co-owned franchise established their superiority once again.
After facing defeats in their opening two fixtures against Atletico de Koklkata (3-2) and Delhi Dynamos FC (1-0), the South American duo of Mendoza and Elano brought respite for their Marquee manager Marco Materazzi in the 10th minute.
FC Goa medio Jofre tried to send a through ball for striker Reinaldo but Harmanjot Khabra intercepted the ball and found Elano. The Brazilian released Mendoza, who got past Lucio and shot but keeper Andrade spills the ball and Arnolin makes a last ditch clearance which once again falls for Mendoza who makes no mistake this time.
FC Goa’s regrouped and in the 18th minute defender Keenan Almeida found himself in a perfect position after a delightful through ball from Leo Moura. However, Almeida got his shot past the onrushing Edel and Rane tracked back to clear the danger.
Just before the lemon break, the deadly trio of Thoi Singh, Jayesh Rane and Elano combined for the second goal. Thoi pressed down a struggling Debabrata Roy on the left to win the all-important duel and passed the ball to Jayesh, who picked out Elano’s forging run which culminated into a calm left-foot finish to make it to 2-0.
Changing over, the counter-attacking trend culminated into a third goal for Chennaiyin FC as Elano found the ever present Mendoza on the left who chipped Elinton Andrade to make it 3-0.
