ISL 2017/18, 2nd Semifinal, 1st Leg: FC Goa vs Chennaiyin FC, 5 Talking Points

#5 Thapa equalises against the run of play

Anirudh Thapa was the

supersub

for Chennaiyin. (Photo: ISL)

Nobody in the stadium saw this coming. Goa were dominating through and through, and out of nowhere, Anirudh Thapa coolly slotted home to give Chennai a crucial equaliser against the run of play.

The substitute had only spent 10 minutes on the pitch but made an instant impact, taking his first chance of the match with confidence. Gregory Nelson did the hard-work before he cleverly found Thapa on the right, who did well to peel away from his marker and found himself in a 1v1 situation with Goa keeper, Kattimani.

The 20-year old didn't blink and slashed the ball between Kattimani's legs to silence the home crowd who looked shocked. That move was a sign of a confident team that did not throw in the towel despite being on the receiving end of consistent pressure throughout the match.