Agencies
Mumbai :FC Goa beat Chennai City FC 3-0 in the first semifinal of the Super Cup 2019 on Tuesday at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
Ferran Corominas netted a brace (26′, 35′) to help FC Goa book their berth in the final of the tournament. Brandon Fernandes scored the third goal in the 69th minute.
Alexander Jesuraj and Charles Lourdusamy returned to the Chennai City XI at the expense of Ameerudeen Mohaideen and Michael Regin. With Edu Bedia suspended, Hugo Boumous’ introduction only added more threat to the FC Goa midfield.
Chennai City’s exuberance against Bengaluru in the quarterfinal was nowhere to be seen in the first half. Goa showed intent right away with Jackichand Singh sending a couple of deliveries from the wings inches wide off the far post.
Zaid Krouch scuppered one inside the box and forced Mauro Boerchio to make a save as the Moroccan played in a two-man attack alongside Corominas.
Corominas then turned the heat on in the 25th minute after winning a penalty as Charles Lourdusamy tugged him down inside the box. The Spaniard opened the scoring with a panenka spot-kick.
Pedro Manzi was kept relatively quiet as his only shot was from 40 yards, which did not trouble Mohammed Nawaz at all.
Corominas doubled the lead when the ball found its way back to him off a failed clearance by Sriram B. The Espanyol man drifted wide and finished off on a tight angle past the ‘keeper on the far corner.
While the Coimbatore-based side showed some promise after the change of ends, it did not take Goa long to regain control of proceedings.
A potential hat-trick for Corominas went begging in the 54th minute when he least expected the ball to find him. Jackichand had a clear sight on goal from the angle but chose to play the 36-year-old as he reacted late in connecting with the ball.
Sandro Rodriguez blasted wide from a freekick and Alexander Jesuraj managed to hit the crossbar after skipping past two opposition defenders. A tired-looking Chennai City had a solitary shot on target the entire match.
With twenty minutes to go, Hugo Boumous on the counter made a delectable turn and released Brandon. Going past Edwin Vanspaul, the Goan winger slotted home past Boerchio to put the final nail in the coffin.
Sergio Lobera brought in young Princeton Rebello, who was controversially denied a penalty in the final minute of regulation time as Garuav Bora tackled him down on the box.
While Chennai City’s season drew to a close, FC Goa marched onto their third major final since the club’s inception in 2014.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Kashmir Monitor staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
