ISL vs. I-League: FC Goa 4-0 Chennai City: Goans on target as Gaurs romp past Southerners

Mandar Rao Dessai, Brandon Fernandes and Liston Colaco got on the scoresheet for the Gaurs...

All Goans scored for in the 4-0 win over Chennai City in a pre-season friendly that took place at the Bambolim Athletic stadium, on Sunday. Mandar Rao Dessai (30', 50'), Brandon Fernandes (55') and Liston Colaco (70') got on the scoresheet for the Gaurs.

Sergio Lobera handed Naveen Kumar his first start in while Mandar Rao Dessai continued as left back in Narayan Das' absence. Manuel Arana, who was a regular in the friendlies in , was again a starter behind lone striker Coro.

The only household name in the Chennai City XI was Dharmaraj Ravanan as the centre back alongside skipper Veniamin.

Chennai City had the first attempt at goal in the opening minutes but Michael Lucky's shot hit the side netting.

There was a questionable pulling of the shirt by Mohammed Ali on Ildar Amirov in the FC Goa box, though the referee chose to wave the play on. The Kyrgyzstani would, later on, have an opportunity to have a go at goal only for Chinglensana Singh to close him down.

Fan-favourite Mandar eventually got the home fans cheering for his goal that he converted with the outside of his left foot after good interplay between Brandon and Lanzarote around the half-hour mark.

Brandon could have made it 2-0 for FC Goa with a spectacular diving header off Arana's cross at the stroke of half-time, but it was marginally wide.

Amey Ranawade, Bruno Pinheiro, Chechi and Liston Colaco replaced Seriton Fernandes, Ali, Chinglensana and Arana at the start of the second half wherein FC Goa took just five minutes to get on the scoresheet when Mandar chipped the ball over the onrushing custodian.

Another five minutes in and Brandon slotted Mandar's cross into the bottom left corner before he was replaced by Arana, who got back on the pitch, only to be replaced once again later in the game.

Naveen had to wake up from his nap to deny Lucky at the near post but that didn't stop FC Goa from extending their lead.

In a move initiated by Arana, substitute Anthony D'Souza sent in an incredible cross from the left, over Chennai City substitute goalkeeper Kabir Thaufiq, though Liston needed two touches to ensure the ball bulged the net for the fourth time in favour of hosts.

FC Goa begin their ISL 4 campaign with two away games, the first of which is against on November 19. The first home match is against on November 30.



FC Goa XI: Naveen (GK); Seriton, Chinglensana, Ali, Mandar; Arana, Edu, Jahouh, Lanzarote, Brandon; Coro.



Chennai City XI: Vicky (GK), Sebastian, Veniamin, Ravanan, Gurpreet, Soosairaj, Charles, Pradeep, Romario, Amirov, Lucky.

