The Indian Super League final was just the clash that the football teams wanted and it could not have got any better than this. A heartbreak for Bengaluru FC as they lead the table right from the start, but somehow it was Chennaiyin FC who displayed courage and determination which got the better of the Sunil Chhetri led Bengaluru FC as the southern club won the finals 3-2, to successfully lift the ISL trophy for the second time.
Mailson Alves scored twice while Raphael Augusto chipped in with a goal as Chennaiyin FC defeated Bengaluru FC 3-2 to win the Indian Super League (ISL) title in Bengaluru on Saturday. Mailson first scored in the 17th minute, which equalized Sunil Chhetri's ninth-minute opener for the hosts, and then propelled his side to a remarkable lead with another leaping header in the 45th minute.
Raphael Augusto, also a Brazilian, added to the home team's agony with his 67th-minute strike, leaving the raucous home fans stunned at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, which was packed to the rafters.
Miku scored for Bengaluru in injury time but that proved to be too little, too late.
Interestingly, four out of the five goals came through headers.
This was Chennaiyin FC's second title triumph in the ISL, tying them with ATK as the most successful team in the tournament.
In their quest to find the equaliser, Bengaluru FC often left gap in the back line, and Chennaiyin took full advantage of that to close out the game.
Entering the final after an unbeaten run of 10 games, Bengaluru FC started it in the earnest and effected the first breakthrough.
Chhetri's opening goal gave Bengaluru FC the advantage they needed early on in the summit showdown.
Chhetri headed in after the impressive Udanta Singh, with a great burst of pace down the wings, made the assist.
The home team's joy, though, was short-lived as Alves jumped high to meet Gregory Nelson's corner and headed in the equaliser.
As the half-time approached and with both teams looking content to be locked at 1-1, Mailson found himself at the right place as the center-half rose as high as possible to head in one more time off a set piece past a hapless Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
Bengaluru FC tried to create openings in the second half but it was the visiting side that tasted success, with Augusto finding the back of the net.
Udanta once managed to find the back of the net but that was flagged off by the linesman in what was a very tight call.
(With PTI inputs)
