FC Goa entered the semi-finals of the Indian Super League, thumping table toppers Chennaiyin FC 3-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here Friday.
Brazilian legend Zico-coached Goa rode on goals from Romeo Fernandes (23rd minute), Andre Santos (40th) and Miroslav Slepicka (62nd) to register their fourth successive victory, which also helped them displace Atletico de Kolkata from the second spot.
Chennaiyin started the first half the brighter of the two sides as they kept the ball and drove forward with purpose, controlling possession for the first fifteen minutes. As the half progressed, Zico's men began to get a foothold in the game.
The defeat to the same opposition in the first match of the tournament was probably ringing in their minds. In the 24th minute, Mandar Rao Desai took an excellent left-footed shot that beat Shilton Paul and ricocheted back into play off the crossbar. Fernandes was on hand to smash home an excellent opener.
The away side took confidence from their first goal and pushed on. Santos saw his excellent free kick from the right come back off a post in the 40th minute. He wasn't to be denied, however, as he turned and shot with his left foot to beat Paul a minute later to double the lead.
The hosts were quickly off the blocks when they came out in the second period as they required two goals to draw level. They moved the ball around with intent but their superior possession could not be translated into a goal.
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It was the away side who grabbed their third when Narayan Das collected the ball in midfield, ran towards goal and fired a fantastic left-footed shot at Paul, whose parried save was straight into the path of Slepicka. The Czech striker turned it in with a smart volley from close range to score his fifth goal in four games.
The away side did fashion as few more chances but couldn't get a fourth. Chennaiyin did all they could to get at least a consolation, and were finally able to grab a goal late on. Jean-Eudes Maurice scored for the hosts.