MARGAO:
FC Goawent down 2-3 against Chennaiyin FC in the exhilarating final of the Indian Super League (ISL) season 2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Margao-Goa.
After a goalless first half, Bruno Pelisssari had given the southern side the lead by converting a penalty in the 54th minute that was cancelled by ThongkhosiemHaokip in the 58th minute.Although JofreMateu Gonzalez put his side back in the lead in the 87th minute, two late goals in which John Stiven Mendoza were involved in the last two goals that eventually saw the Chennai franchise being crowned champions.
Zico unbothered his first 11. Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessaiplaying the wingbacks with Rafael Coelho Luiz and DuduOmagbemi up front. Marco Materazzi meanwhile made one change by keeping out Elano to allow Pelissari to take on the pitch with Mendoza and JejeLalpekhlua in attack.
In a double blow to FC Goa, Dudu had to be stretchered out after suffering a knock to the back of his head when MailsonAlves won the aerial duel off LaxmikantKattimani’sgoalkick. In came Jonatan Lucca. Pelissari pulled the first trigger in the 17th minute that swayed wide of the left in the 17th minute while Kattimani was alert to clear the ball ahead of Mendoza who was sent through on goal by Jeje.
FC Goa were relentlessly thronging in attack and started creating a few chances around the half hour mark. Romeo sent a long lob to Rafael to try his best to control the ball in the opponent’s half to beat EdelBete but Mailson put in a crucial tackle. Leo Moura’s low freekick got through the wall but took a deflection off MehrajuddinWadoo on its way wide of the target and from a flagkick taken by Lucca, Rafael’s header was blocked by Thoi Singh on the right near post.
In probably the best chance in the first half, Jeje and Mendoza combined well and the latter’s shot under pressure from Lucio was thwarted away by Kattimani for a corner in the 38th minute.
The second half resumed with a change that saw a change in strategy by Zico as Moura made way for Haokip.
The crowd were silenced when referee Yudai Yamamoto pointed to the spot after PronayHalder’s foul on Mendoza. Kattimani saved Pelissari’s penalty but the Brazilian followed up to bury the rebound in the back of the net in the 54th minute. Haokip got the fans back on their feet just four minutes later as the Manipuri lad tapped in Romeo’s cross from the right in a move started by Lucca from the center of the park.
Mendoza was brought down once again in the box in a one-on-one situation with Kattimani. However, the FC Goa goalkeeper rose to the occasion with a full stretched dive to his left to deny the Colombian from the 12 yards mark in the 62nd minute. Both Haokip and Gregory Arnolin failed to co
nnect their overhead efforts following Lucio’s header off Jofre’s corner kick in the 66th minute.
In another chance to pull ahead, Romeo charged down the right channel and released Rafael whose cross from the touchline had Haokip’s shot from close range saved by Edel in the 75th minute.
Chennai too had their chances as Mailson shot straight at Kattimani and Elano, who had replaced Pelissari, curled his attempt wide.
Just as it could not get better for Zico’s side in the 87th minute as Jofre blasted his freekick past Edel, Mendoza caused havoc as he grabbed the winner in the first minute of the five minutes of added time. The Golden Boot winner carried a pass JayeshRane’s beyond the guards of Arnolin and Lucio and beat a hapless Kattimani who had no clue what hit him when a minute earlier Wadoo’s cross beat the Goan goalkeeper in FC Goa’s heart-breaking defeat.
