Indian Super League Season Two: It’s Chennai vs Goa
Chennaiyin FC’s John Stiven Mendoza jumps over Tiri of Atletico de Kolkata in their Indian Super League semi-final second leg in Kolkata on Wednesday. The hosts won 2-1 but lost 2-4 on aggregate. — ISL
Chennaiyin FC’s John Stiven Mendoza jumps over Tiri of Atletico de Kolkata in their Indian Super League semi-final second leg in Kolkata on Wednesday. The hosts won 2-1 but lost 2-4 on aggregate. — ISL
Chennaiyin FC stormed into the final of the Indian Super League Season Two on a 4-2 aggregate, despite losing the semi-final second leg against defending champions Atletico de Kolkata 1-2 here on Wednesday.
Chennaiyin, who had defeated ATK 3-0 in the first leg last week in Pune, now take on FC Goa in the summit clash at Margao on Sunday.
In search of three goals to overturn their first leg deficit, Kolkata began on the front foot and were rewarded for their efforts with a goal from Dejan Lekic in the 22nd minute following a error of judgement by Chennaiyin defender Bernard Mendy.
Iain Hume added to the tally bringing the packed Salt Lake Stadium crowd on their feet in the 87th minute, after he converted from a Dejan Lekic cross to make it 2-0. But former ATK forward Fikru Teferra, who came in as a substitute, brought the heartbreak scoring an injury time goal for Chennaiyin in the 92nd minute.
As ATK pressed for a third goal, it was their goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who showed a silly judgement error and went out of his area as Fikru gained possession before slotting the ball home with ease.
It was Fikru’s first goal for his new team Chennaiyin and the one that shut the door on ATK.
ATK coach Antonio Habas was animated and furious with the referee and the linesman after Fikru’s introduction in place of Stiven Mendoza in the 88th minute. The referee sent off the Spaniard in the dying minutes of the match.
Earlier, ATK got a ray of hope when the visitors’ most trusted defender Mendy committed a misjudgement costing them a silly goal in the 22nd minute. Known for his solidarity at the heart of defence, Mendy tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper but had a loose connect and Lekic, lurking upfront, was quick to pounce on it with a deft touch past the onrushing Bete to reduce the aggregate margin to two goals.