Margao: The Indian Super League’s most contested, and sometimes controversial, clash lacked the usual drama. At times, it was dry, even lacklustre. At the end of it all, neither FC Goa nor Chennaiyin FC will be happy with what transpired in their opener at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Saturday.




Among only a handful of players ignored for national team duties during the three high-profile friendlies, Irfan Yadwad provided a timely reminder to coach Khalid Jamil with an unstoppable attempt in the 63rd minute to give Chennaiyin the lead. Goa, though, battled hard and secured the equaliser through Christian Borrego, popularly known as Chiki.




Chennaiyin never lived up to the high pre-tournament expectations but will think they should have walked away with full points. The visitors took the lead, had control too, but conceded from a set-piece with Chiki, the shortest player in the box, brilliantly turning home a freekick.




Even when playing at home, Goa were far from their best but could have pocketed a win, if they were sharper in front of goal, particularly in the second session.




Coach Gouramangi Singh took many by surprise with his lineup. There was debutant Akash Singh at right-back, who started and finished the game, while Muhammed Nemil and Prachit Gaonkar got the nod, ahead of new signings Isak Ralte and Tomba Singh.




For Chennaiyin, Clifford Miranda opted for a foreign centre-back pairing in Nuno Reis and Emmanuel Imanishimwe, while former Goa players, Glan Martins and Ayush Chhetri were slotted in midfield. It didn’t work in the middle, prompting Miranda to replace Martins inside the first half an hour.




At the start, Chennaiyin had more of the ball, so much of it in the opening minutes that a small group of visiting fans made noise that was loud enough to be heard across the stadium. Goa were on the backfoot, and the fans so quiet that an announcement had to be made for the “Gaurs in the house to make some noise.”




Goa hardly got going in the first 45 minutes. There were only half-chances with Sandesh Jhingan’s headers from corners the only visible threat. Nemil did try but his effort lacked power.




Chennaiyin tried to push forward through Ramon Tanque. The Brazilian is powerfully built and tried to bulldoze his way but found his match in an equally robust Jhingan at the heart of Goa’s defence.




Besides an attempt from Chennaiyin winger Brison Fernandes which Bob Raj pushed away, the first half had nothing of note.




The second half was different.




Inside just three minutes before the hour mark, Goa had three chances. Goalkeeper Mohammad Nawaz’s headed clearance fell kindly at the feet of Chiki but the Spanish striker’s grounder went straight into the hands of the Chennaiyin keeper.




Another attempt from Chiki saw Nawaz’s stretched leg keep the scoreline blank, and Ayush was lucky to see his clearance inches away from his own goal.




Then, as substitutes Bryce Miranda and Madih Talal took the field for Chennaiyin, there was the opening goal. It came from the boots of Yadwad, whose attempt from inside the box after a pass from Namgyal Bhutia had so much power that Bob’s fingertip touch wasn’t enough, even though it came from an acute angle.




Goa were rattled but did well to regain composure. The hardworking Jorge Ortiz, an early substitute for injured Franchu, saw his attempt hit the post, Chiki missed an open header from close range and a hasty Udanta Singh fired wide.




Then, from Aakash Sangwan freekick’s, Chiki showed just why officials at Goa rate him highly and put all the eggs in just one big basket.