Chennaiyin FC land major blow to FC Goa's play-off hopes with 2-1 win

Kwame Karikari bagged a brace as the Gaurs remained in sixth place, level on points with Odisha FC, who can replace them in the final play-off spot if they avoid defeat in Guwahati on Friday

Chennaiyin FC handed FC Goa a second defeat on the trot and dealt a massive blow in their play-off qualification hopes in the Indian Super League (ISL) with a 2-1 win at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Margao, Goa on Thursday.

Kwame Karikari bagged a brace as the Gaurs remained in sixth place, level on points with Odisha FC, who can replace them in the final play-off spot if they avoid defeat in Guwahati on Friday.

Ten minutes into the match, it was Chennaiyin who drew the first blood. Julius Duker rode on Edu Bedia's tackle in midfield before sliding in an inch-perfect through pass to Vincy Barretto on the left flank.

The winger picked out Karikari with a low ball and he side-footed it home.

Five minutes after the goal, at the other end of the pitch, Samik Mitra spilled the ball inside a crowded penalty area and Devendra Murgaonkar was the first to react and get his shot away, but it was blocked and eventually cleared to safety.

That was one of the shots FC Goa attempted in the first half but went in at the break without anything.

Four minutes into the second half, Sadaoui brought FC Goa level. Bedia played a long ball out towards the left flank from the midfield. Sadaoui escaped his marker, brought it down and powered it into the net.