ISL: Record-breaking Chennaiyin FC romp to 2-1 win over FC Goa

Rohan Raj New Delhi, October 15, 2014 | UPDATED 23:02 IST

Chennai's Elano Blumer celebrates after scoring his goal against Goa in ISL tie on Wednesday
In what was arguably the best game of the Indian Super League(ISL) so far, disciplined Chennai FC edged-past rivals FC Goa to clinch a splendid 2-1 win at the Nehru stadium in Margao on Wednesday. Del Piero Show | Koke Heroics | Atletico's Riot

Marco Materazzi's brigade produced a stellar performance against their rivals while smashing past numerous records to secure the all-important three points in the high-profile football league.
Striker Balwant Singh, who became the first Indian to score in the league, and Brazilian star Elano Blumer, who became the first marquee player to score in the ISL, rallied the two goals for the MS Dhoni co-owned Chennai. French defender Gregory Arnolin also scored a goal but wasn't able to seal the game for Zico-coached Goa.
Despite being dominated by Goa's attacking prowess, Chennai took the lead with Balwant Singh's strike in the 32nd minute. The 27-year-old Indian forward capitalized on a deflection after teammate Elano Blumer was tripped in the box by Goan defenders.
Minutes after the first goal, the 33-year-old former Manchester City midfielder Elano doubled the lead for the visitors while sending shockwaves to the Zico camp. The Brazilian curled the ball in with a spectacular free-kick from the edge of the box, beating Goan custodian Jan Seda at post.
After missing out on numerous chances, Virat Kohli co-owned Goa breathed life into the game with a crucial goal in the 65th minute. The Goan central defending pair of Youness Bengelloun and Gregory Arnolin came to rescue the hosts. Arnolin tapped in the ball past Seda after being set up by Bengelloun from the right flank.
The goal provided the much-needed relief to the home fans and more importantly to a visibly nervous Zico. Goa's marquee player Robert Pires got a couple of chances but failed to find the back of the net as the hosts stumbled upon a bitter defeat.
Former Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre and French wall Bernard Mendy put up a great show in defence to nullify the attacking prowess of Goa. Chennai's resolute defence was the clearly the difference between the two sides today.
First away goal by an Indian, first away win from a team, first goal by a marquee player and the first away goal in the Indian Super League. That sums up Chennaiyin FC!
Teams(from):
FC Goa XI(4-1-4-1): Jan Seda(gk); Prabir Das, Youness Bengelloun, Gregory Arnolin, Narayan Das; Peter Carvalho; Romeo Fernandes, Edgar Carvalho Figueira Marcelino, Robert Pires, Holicharan Narzary; Miguel Bruno Pereira Herlein
Chennaiyin FC XI(5-3-2): Gennaro Bracigliano(gk); Abhishek Das, Gouramangi Singh, Mikael Silvestre, Bernard Mendy, Dhanachandra Singh; Elano Blumer, Denson Devadas, Bojan Djordjic; Bruno Pelissari, Balwant Sing

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014