Chennaiyin FC 3-4 FC Goa: 3 reasons why the Gaurs came out on top in this high-scoring clash | ISL 2019-20

#1 Chennaiyin FC compounds their wasteful nature in front of goal

FC Goa keeper Nawaz was a spectator until Andre Schembri scored for the hosts. (Image: ISL)

Thursday's fixture between Chennaiyin FC mirrored the reverse fixture in Goa to a large extent. In that game, Chennaiyin FC could have come away with a better result than the eventual 3-0 loss if the referee had awarded a penalty when Seriton Fernandes brought down Dragos Firtulescu inside the box.

The same happened once again at the Marina Arena when Ahmed Jahouh brought down Andre Schembri in and around the penalty box. While it did seem like the foul was made outside with Schembri's momentum making him fall inside the box, referee Umesh Bora adjudged that the Goan player wasn't at fault. Chennaiyin FC might have very well got a completely different result if the penalty decision went their way. FC Goa seemed to hold the ball much better after Jahouh opened the scoring in the 26th minute.

While this saw Goa escaping a potential free kick or penalty, Chennaiyin FC were also a bit lacklustre in the final third when they were dominating in the initial part of the game. While Chhangte failed to get on the end of some fantastic one-touch passes between Rafael Crivellaro and Nerijus Valskis, Andre Schembri also put in a disappointing cross from the right wing when the in-form Valskis was left free near the far post.

Furthermore, Chhangte scuffed a shot when Valskis flicked a superb long-ball from center-back Masih Saighani. These attractive opportunities that the home side failed to make use of in the first 45 minutes turned out to the difference between the two sides with Goa punishing Chennaiyin for any kind of mistake.