Panaji (Goa): Indian Arrows registered a headline-grabbing victory over Chennai City FC with a 3-0 win in their I-League encounter at the GMC Bambolim Athletic stadium on Wednesday.
A brace from Aniket Jadhav (20′, 58′) and a 90th-minute goal from Boris Singh set the tone for a resounding victory for the youngsters to stun Chennai City FC in their Hero I-League 2017-18 curtain raiser.
After a slow start, Arrows slowly switched into their attacking gears and came close in the 13th minute.
The move came down the left channel which saw Edmund Lalrindika clipping the ball into the box for the onrushing Suresh Singh but the midfielder couldn’t connect with it.
Chennai City had a few opportunities as well. One such move saw Jean Michael Joachim work his way into the penalty box only to balloon his shot over the bar.
But the Arrows stunned Chennai City in the 20th minute. After passing the ball out from the defence, right-back Boris Singh threaded a defence-scathing pass to Rahul KP who was operating on the right flank.
Rahul aimed a cross into the box and Aniket Jadhav got on the end of the cross just outside the box. The forward made space for himself with a touch and curled a pile-driver into the far corner.
After falling behind, Chennai City tried to get back into the game but they were let down by poor finishing especially by Joachim and Lucky Kelechukwa.
Arrows striker Edmund was brilliant up front and nearly scored on two occasions. The forward saw one lobbed shot miss the far corner by inches and a swerving shot from outside the box hit the post.
The defensive organisation of the Indian Arrows was evident as they kept their shape and goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh hardly had any saves to make.
Chennai City’s best chances came through set-pieces but poor finishing kept letting them down.
The score at half-time was 1-0 in favour of the Indian Arrows.
After the changeover, Arrows stunned Chennai again as they doubled their advantage in the 58th minute. Edmund raced down the byline and dragged the defenders and goalkeeper out before poking the ball into the box.
With an open goal in front of him, Aniket raced towards the ball and steered the ball into the net to score his second of the game.
Eight minutes later, Chennai substitute Gurpreet Singh hit the crossbar from a free-kick and Chennai City had a few half chances.
As the game was winding down, Boris Singh piled the misery on a jaded Chennai City with a 90th-minute goal as he strolled into the box and steered the ball.
It was game set and match for the Indian Arrows Colts and Aniket Jadhav was awarded the Hero of the Match. (ANI)