Chennaiyin FC have opened their account in the 2014 Hero Indian Super League by defeating FC Goa 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda on Wednesday.
Marco Materazzi's Chennai side have become the first team to win away from home in the inaugural ISL in a tight encounter in the west of the country in front of a boisterous crowd.
Balwant Singh also created history by becoming the first Indian player to score in the competition which has thus far yielded seven goals in four matches.
The Mohun Bagan ace gave Chennaiyin the lead in the 32nd minute when he received a pass from captain and marquee player Elano before stroking home beyond Goa keeper Jan Seda.
Ten minutes later, former Manchester City and Santos midfielder Elano double his side's advantage with a sublime free-kick from the edge of the area.
Brazilian great Zico needed something from his players and it came in the form of a goal in the 65th minute when central defender Gregory Arnolin slotted home from close range when he go on the end of fellow centre-back Youness Bengelloun's knock-back.
Goa went after a late leveler with homegrown hero Clifford Miranda coming close but in the end, Chennaiyin had done enough to give Materazzi his first win as a coach.
The Italian did not play in his side's opening match but French defenders Mikael Silvestre and Bernard Mendy put in full 90-minute shifts while former Arsenal star and World Cup winner Robert Pires was in impressive form for Goa.
Chennaiyin will now look forward to their next fixture which takes place in Chennai against Kerala Blasters FC on October 21 while Goa travel to Guwahati to meet NorthEast United FC at the Indira Gandhi Stadium on October 19.
2014 Hero Indian Super League - Match 4
FC Goa: 1 (Gregory Arnolin 65') Chennaiyin FC: 2 (Balwant Singh 32', Elano 42') Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda
