Preview: Having dominated the competition in their debut season in the Indian Super League (ISL), Bengaluru FC face one last hurdle in Chennaiyin FC in the final in Bengaluru on Saturday.
Bengaluru were by far the strongest team during the league phase, winning 13 of their 18 matches to lead the table with 40 points, eight more than second placed Chennaiyin.
Bengaluru FC's Sunil Chhetri (L) and Chennaiyin FC's Jeje Lalpehlua (R) pose ahead of the 2017-18 ISL final. Image Courtesy: ISL
They produced ample evidence of their form during the semi-finals, riding a hat-trick by skipper Sunil Chetri to thrash FC Pune City 3-1 in the second leg.
While Bengaluru dominated their opponents, Chhetri proved once again that he is one of the most consistent performers in Indian football.
Bengaluru fans will expect more of the same from their captain on Saturday.
In their short history of four years, Bengaluru have enjoyed unprecedented success.
They have won either the I-League or Federation Cup in every season and are overwhelming favourites to win the ISL title on debut.
"We started (our preparations) earlier than other teams because of the AFC Cup. We have tried to succeed. There is one more step to do right now but until now I am happy for everyone. The fans have always been behind us," Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca said on Friday.
"Tomorrow is a big game against a very difficult team. Chennaiyin have shown a lot of quality. I am not expecting an easy game. It will be the most difficult game of the season," he added.
Significantly, Bengaluru FC are unbeaten in their last 10 matches, winning eight of them.
However, Bengaluru face formidable foes in Chennaiyin FC.
Chennaiyin FC will also fancy their chances, having defeated Bengaluru FC 2-1 at their own den during the league stage, thanks to a last-minute goal from Dhanpal Ganesh.
Against FC Goa in the semi-finals, Chennaiyin FC negated the threat of Goa's dangerous strike pair of Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote and will hope to do the same against Sunil Chhetri and Miku, who have combined to score 27 of Bengaluru's 38 goals.
"We are going into this game with a lot of confidence. We know that we have won there before, and we are not the only team (to defeat Bengaluru FC at home). We have utmost respect for everything they have achieved. We are Chennaiyin. We are not afraid of anyone," Chennaiyin coach John Gregory said during the pre-match media interaction.
With inputs from IANS
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Updated Date: Mar 17, 2018 22:46:41 IST
Highlights
Chennaiyin lift the trophy!
The moment has arrived for Chennaiyin who lift the title for the second time Excellent scenes at the Kanteerava
CHENNAIYIN ARE CHAMPIONS!
FT: Bengaluru FC 1-3 Chennaiyin FC
The referee blows the full time whistle and John Gregory's men have done a job on Bengaluru in their own backyard. A ruthlessly clinical performance from the visitors hands them their second title in 4 years. Chennaiyin players are ecstatic, Bengaluru are crestfallen. Great scenes at the Kanteerava.
67' Bengaluru FC 1-3 Chennaiyin
GOAL! Raphael Augusto with fine finish. Jeje does well to hold the ball after failing to go behind the the defence, and lays it off for Augusto who curls it into the far post. Chennaiyin have been ruthlessly efficient and have one hand on the trophy
HT: Bengaluru FC 1-2 Chennaiyin
What a top half of football. It's been non-stop action in this first half. Bengaluru have edged the play in this one but find themselves behind after conceding 2 goals from as many corners to Mailson Alves. Albert Roca will be disappointed. All to play for in the second half.
45' Bengaluru FC 1-2 Chennaiyin
GOAL! Mailson Alves again! The big center-half rises again and the Bengaluru defenders have no answer to it. There is nothing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu can do about it. Chennaiyin having trailed lead after 2 goals from set-pieces.
16' Bengaluru FC 1-1 Chennaiyin
GOAL! Mailson Alves equalises for Chennaiyin from a corner. Chennaiyin once again show resilience. It's all square. What a start to the game!
8' Bengaluru FC 1-0 Chennaiyin
GOAL! It's that man Sunil Chhetri again. And once again it's Udanta Singh who provides the assist. The winger gets behind the defence with his pace and sends a brilliant cross for Chhetri. The cross takes a deflection to perfectly fall in Chhetri's path who makes no mistake
22:45 (IST)
That's it from us. I hope you have enjoyed our coverage of the Indian Super League. We will be back bringing you all the news of Indian football. Thank you for tuning in, good night!
22:44 (IST)
Chennaiyin lift the trophy!
The moment has arrived for Chennaiyin who lift the title for the second time Excellent scenes at the Kanteerava
22:40 (IST)
Nice gesture from the Chennaiyin players to form a guard of honour for their beaten rivals.
22:35 (IST)
Unsurprisingly, the referee is given a coulorful welcome when he comes to take his memento.
22:31 (IST)
Sunil Chhetri is awarded the Hero of the League award
22:31 (IST)
Kerala Blasters' Lalruatthara is the Emerging player of the season
22:30 (IST)
Subrata Pal wins Golden Glove award!
22:25 (IST)
FC Goa's Ferran Corominas wins the Golden Boot award for scoring 18 goals this season
22:22 (IST)
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu on Golden Glove: I think Subrata bhai deserved this award, he kept a lot of clean sheets.
22:21 (IST)
Albert Roca on Bengaluru's loss: We are sad that we were not able to lift the trophy for the fans. It's a shame that we didn't win after playing so well. But it's ok and such things happen in football. It was not our day
22:14 (IST)
22:14 (IST)
While the rest of the Bengaluru fans have left the stadium, the West Block Blues are still making themselves heard. Their chants against the referee continues and is capped off with a rendition of the classic "hum honge kamiyaab"
22:13 (IST)
22:12 (IST)
22:11 (IST)
Marcelinho is always on target!
22:08 (IST)
FC Pune City congratulate the champions
22:07 (IST)
More reactions
22:05 (IST)
Captain Sereno reacts after the win
22:04 (IST)
Jerry on his second ISL winners' medal
22:03 (IST)
Reactions pouring in on Twitter. Iain Hume among the first to wish Chennaiyin on their win
22:02 (IST)
Champions again!
21:58 (IST)
CHENNAIYIN ARE CHAMPIONS!
FT: Bengaluru FC 1-3 Chennaiyin FC
The referee blows the full time whistle and John Gregory's men have done a job on Bengaluru in their own backyard. A ruthlessly clinical performance from the visitors hands them their second title in 4 years. Chennaiyin players are ecstatic, Bengaluru are crestfallen. Great scenes at the Kanteerava.
21:55 (IST)
Hold on! Miku heads the ball in the back of the net and the crowd is back on its feet again. Think it's too little too late.
21:54 (IST)
90+2' Bengaluru FC 2-3 Chennaiyin
GOAL! Miku heads home from Udanta's cross and there is hope for the home side.
21:52 (IST)
Kanteerava emptying fast!
The Bengaluru fans have started streaming out of the stadium and the stadium has largely gone silent. The only noise coming in from the tiny pocket of Chennai fans in the corner.
21:52 (IST)
90' Bengaluru FC 1-3 Chennaiyin
Four minutes added on at the Kanteerava. Bengaluru FC now need something miraculous to save this
21:50 (IST)
The Chennaiyin fans absolutely loved that skier for Sunil Chhetri! They break into ironic "Chhetri Chhetri" chants and even mimic the forward's famous celebration
21:50 (IST)
85' Bengaluru FC 1-3 Chennaiyin
21:44 (IST)
80' Bengaluru FC 1-3 Chennaiyin
The crowd has turned against the referee after a couple of decisions go against Bengaluru. The fact that teh Chennaiyin players are taking too long to "recover" from the tackles has only further incensed the crowd who turn to chanting downright misogynistic chants towards the poor ref.
21:37 (IST)
Chennaiyin FC fans have their moments!
21:36 (IST)
Bengaluru are now throwing the kitchen sink at Chennaiyin
21:34 (IST)
21:33 (IST)
70' Bengaluru FC 1-3 Chennaiyin
The hosts are in trouble now. They need 2 goals in 20 minutes against one of the most meanest defences in ISL history. Can the home side show some character and come from behind to force extra time? Let's wait and watch
21:31 (IST)
Kanteerava silenced!
21:29 (IST)
67' Bengaluru FC 1-3 Chennaiyin
GOAL! Raphael Augusto with fine finish. Jeje does well to hold the ball after failing to go behind the the defence, and lays it off for Augusto who curls it into the far post. Chennaiyin have been ruthlessly efficient and have one hand on the trophy
21:27 (IST)
Nishu gives away a needless freekick in a danerous position for Chennaiyin and gets a telling off from his captain who perhaps has realised the danger that CFC possess in set-peice situations.
21:26 (IST)
Interesting changes!
Interesting to see Roca taking off Paartalu. The Aussie has been good in his makeshift position at centre back. The double change sees Juanan moving in to replace Paartalu with Nishu Kumar slotting in at left back, Daniel Segovia will pair-up Miku up top.
21:25 (IST)
60' Bengaluru FC 1-2 Chennaiyin
A series of changes. Segovia and Nishu on for Boithang and Paaratalu for Bengaluru who use up their quota. Chennaiyin make their standard change as Anirudh Thapa comes ON for Bikramjit Singh
21:20 (IST)
Speaking of Udanta, Jerry has barely been able to contain him. Add to that Bheke's overlapping runs and you can know what the Mizo left back is up against. With Bengaluru chasing the game in the second half, it's going to be a massive final 45 for the 19-year-old.
21:19 (IST)
55' Bengaluru FC 1-2 Chennaiyin
Chennaiyin looking dangerous on the break. Bengaluru lacking the cutting edge to break down the Chennaiyin defence that is on their game. They need to keep patience though as there is plenty of time left in this match
21:16 (IST)
Huge roar from the crowd as Udanta's shot is deflected in the back of the net but the linesman has raised his flag for offside against the Manipuri winger. Takes a minute for the fans to realise that.
21:14 (IST)
Huge roar from the crowd as Udanta's shot is deflected in the back of the net but the linesman has raised his flag for offside against the Manipuri winger. Takes a minute for the fans to realise that.
21:11 (IST)
50' Bengaluru FC 1-2 Chennaiyin
Bengaluru have started the second-half on the front foot with four successive corners but they can make nothing off it. Chennaiyin resolute in defence.
21:07 (IST)
Bengaluru FC 1-2 Chennaiyin
Second half is underway at the Kanteerava stadium
21:03 (IST)
Mailson's second goal
20:56 (IST)
Advantage Chennaiyin!
20:55 (IST)
Half-time! The Chennaiyin players are the last to leave the pitch and they are given a verbal send off by the Bengaluru fans. Not fit for print. And how the tables have turned! It is the CFC fans who now chant "We can't hear you." Classic fan banter.
20:54 (IST)
Half-time! The Chennaiyin players are the last to leave the pitch and they are given a verbal send off by the Bengaluru fans. Not fit for print. And how the tables have turned! It is the CFC fans who now chant "We can't hear you." Classic fan banter.
20:54 (IST)
HT: Bengaluru FC 1-2 Chennaiyin
What a top half of football. It's been non-stop action in this first half. Bengaluru have edged the play in this one but find themselves behind after conceding 2 goals from as many corners to Mailson Alves. Albert Roca will be disappointed. All to play for in the second half.
20:52 (IST)
It's that man again!