FC Goa secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2023-24 playoff, booking their spot in the semifinals in a nail-biting encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
The Gaurs, who hadn’t reached the semifinals in three years, will now face Mumbai City FC for a chance to advance to the summit clash, setting up a highly anticipated rematch of the 2020-21 semifinal.
The action-packed match saw FC Goa’s Noah Sadaoui, the team’s leading goalscorer this season, open the scoring in the 36th minute with a clinical finish. Captain Brandon Fernandes doubled the lead just nine minutes later with a sensational strike from outside the box, putting his team in a commanding position.
Chennaiyin FC, known for their comeback prowess, pulled one back just before halftime as Lazar Cirkovic capitalized on a defensive error to score a crucial goal. Despite their best efforts in the second half, Chennaiyin couldn’t find the equalizer, and FC Goa held on for a hard-fought victory.
The win was particularly sweet for FC Goa, as it avenged a heartbreaking loss to Chennaiyin four years ago in the playoffs. The Gaurs showed resilience and determination throughout the match, while Chennaiyin can take pride in their spirited performance despite falling short.
With the final score reading FC Goa 2, Chennaiyin FC 1, the Gaurs now look ahead to their semifinal clash with Mumbai City FC, as they aim to continue their impressive run in the ISL playoffs.