Jorge Ortiz’s wonder strike seals all three points for Goa
Jorge Ortiz’s long-range effort helped Goa get the better of a resolute Chennaiyin side in ‘Match 54’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League season.
This was Derrick Pereira’s first win since assuming the position of the Goa head coach as the Gaurs ended their run of four winless matches.
The Indian tactician handed a debut to the exciting young defender Anwar Ali while Alberto Noguera and Naveen Kumar were also included in the starting XI at the expense of Dylan Fox, Devendra Murgaonkar, and first-choice goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh.
On the other hand, Chennaiyin head coach Bozidar Bandovic surprisingly opted to tweak his winning combination as he gave Nerijus Valskis a start replacing last match’s hero Lucasz Gikiewicz while Edwin Vanspaul replaced Germanpreet Singh in the middle of the park.
Valskis had a decent start to his second chapter with the Marina Machans as he threaded a precise ball for Anirudh Thapa in the 12th minute but a timely intervention from Noguera thwarted the brewing opportunity.
The first major opportunity of the game fell to Goa seven minutes later when Noguera made a daunting run and delivered a perfectly weighted ball for his Spanish compatriot Ortiz but Chennaiyin custodian Debjit Majumder justified his selection in the side by coming out of his line at the perfect moment.
The Gaurs enjoyed the lion’s share of the possession in the next phase of the game, albeit without creating any clear-cut openings. Midfielder Glan Martins pulled the trigger from distance in the 39th minute but Majumder was alert to avert the danger yet again while Ortiz squandered the opportunity to tuck home the rebound.
Pereira brought in Devendra Murgaonkar to replace Nemil in the second half and the decision almost paid dividends when the former earned his side a corner. Though nothing came off the set-piece itself, Ortiz claimed he was pulled from behind in the penalty box and the replays validated his claim but referee Pratik Mondal remained uninterested.
The Gaurs came very close to breaking the deadlock three minutes later when Edu Bedia stepped up to take another corner. The former Barcelona B player attempted an audacious Olympic goal which left Majumder stranded but his effort bounced back off the post.
The Goa skipper had another great opportunity of giving his team the lead in the 62nd minute when he received a pass at the edge of the box and pulled the trigger but his shot went over the crossbar, possibly kissing it en route.
Mirlan Murzaev had his effort saved by Naveen Kumar
The Gaurs custodian was finally called to action in the 75th minute when Mirlan Murzaev came up with an effort on target but Kumar had no problem in keeping it out.
Just as it seemed that we would witness the second consecutive goalless draw, Ortiz came up with a wonder strike that left the Chennaiyin defense gaping. After receiving the ball in midfield, the Getafe academy graduate glided past defenders before beating Majumder with a precise left-footed effort.
This win has propelled the Gaurs to the eighth position and they will aim to keep up the momentum when they take on NorthEast United in their next match at the Athletic Stadium on Friday.
On the other hand, Chennaiyin will now face in-form Hyderabad in their next clash at the Fatorda Stadium on Thursday.