Goa 1 Chennaiyin 2: Elano on target as visitors triumph

​Former Manchester City midfielder Elano scored as Chennaiyin claimed a 2-1 win in their first Indian Super League game at Goa on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old Brazilian was signed as the marquee player for player-manager Marco Materazzi’s side, and delivered on his debut with the second goal in Margao as Chennaiyin overcame a team coached by Zico.

Chennaiyin took the lead after 32 minutes when striker Balwant Singh lashed the ball home to become the first Indian player to score in the new league.

Elano doubled the visitors’ advantage 10 minutes later, firing a superb free-kick, which was won by Singh, into the top-left corner.

The hosts did manage to pull a goal back in the 65th minute, defender Gregory bundling home from point-blank range after Youness Bengelloun had knocked Robert Pires’ deep left-wing cross back across goal.

Goa continued to push forward in a bid to complete a comeback but, despite late shouts for a penalty when forward Ranti Martins was brought down six minutes from time, Chennaiyin held on.