Chennaiyin were crowned the new champions of the Indian Super League, as FC Goa and Laxmikant Kattimani collapsed in the dying embers of the game to hand the Super Machans the tittle.
Chennaiyin FC continued their unbeaten form at the Fatorda Stadium, as they overcame a late FC Goa goal courtesy some horrible defending and an own goal to win the second edition of the Indian Super League.
The Gaurs would have hoped Jofrea s 87th minute goal was enough to settle the final in their favour, but a calamitous error from the FC Goa goalkeeper leading to an own goal to level the score unsettled the home side who went off empty handed after coming so close to win the tournament.
Both teams tried to measure up their opponents in the first half leading to a goalless half, but the match sprung into life as Bruno Pelissari broke the deadlock in favour of Chennaiyin FC on the 54th minute. FC Goa responded brilliantly and leveled up the score four minutes later through Thongkhosiem Haokip. The Guars then went on to take the lead late on the 87th minute but no one had guessed the drama in the remaining minutes.
Kattimani, who had done a reasonably good job throughout the season, will instantly turn into the villian after his howler allowed Chennaiyin to level the scoreline. Chennaiyina s top scorer Stiven Mendoza then went to seal the match and extended his lead in the race for the golden boot with a left footed shot slotted into the bottom corner of Kattimani’s goal.
Pronay Halder was guilty on the 53rd minute, as he brought down the young Colombian inside the box and Bruno Pelissari slotted home the penalty in his second attempt after Kattimani managed to get a hand to the shot but Pelissari was on hand to slot home the rebound.
Having conceded the goals, FC Goa was determined to level the scores quickly and they did just that four minutes later after Romeo Fernandesa cross found Haokip who was lurking around the second post for a tap in.
Most fans were hoping that the match would head into extra time, when up stepped Joffre with a sumptuous free kick from just outside the box. But the fans had more drama in store for them, as FC Goa goalkeeper had rushed out to collect a long hopefull ball inside the box but instead went on to collide with his own defender, as the ball rolled past him into the goal to level the score for the second time in the match.
Chennaiyin bouyed by this mistake pressed the Guars hard and Jayesh Rane found Mendoza, who was soon rewarded, when he found the ball on the left and went past his marker to win the match for Chennaiyin.
. Image Courtesy: ISL Media