ISL: Bengaluru FC eye revenge against defending champions Chennaiyin FC
Football | Sep 30, 2018, 09:35 AM ISTBengaluru were the best side in the previous edition, winning 13 of their 18 matches to qualify for the playoffs with four games to spare.
Bengaluru were the best side in the previous edition, winning 13 of their 18 matches to qualify for the playoffs with four games to spare.
Chennaiyin FC has already retained 13 players from last season for their title defence, with head coach John Gregory and sports scientist Niall Clark also signing one-year extensions.
The first English coach to win the ISL trophy, Gregory led Chennai to an eight-match unbeaten run that culminated in a 3-2 victory over Bengaluru FC in the final, thus securing qualification to the 2019 AFC Cup.
This was Chennaiyin FC's second title triumph in the ISL, tying them with ATK as the most successful team in the tournament.
The hosts Bengaluru had lost to Chennaiyin in the league stage but Chhetri said it is not worth thinking about that match because they managed to come back strongly.
Chennaiyin now face Bengaluru FC at the grande finale on March 17 at Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore.
Backed by a vociferous home crowd, FC Goa went into attacking mode from the start and enjoyed better share of ball possession.
In the nine matches the two sides have played, Goa won four and Chennaiyin five, including the famous final in 2015.
Chennaiyin FC are placed third after accumulating 29 points from 17 matches, the same as second-placed FC Pune City, who have a better goal difference.
Chennainyin thus put themselves in a strong position for a place in the play-off after grabbing the third place with 27 points from 15 matches.
The win takes Bengaluru to 30 points from 14 games while Chennaiyin stay on 23 but has played one match less.
NorthEast United had lost 0-3 against Chennaiyin FC in Chennai earlier in their first-leg clash but Doungel turned the tables on their rivals with a hat-trick.
The former ISL champion went to the top of the standings on 20 points with the win, their sixth of the season.
Jeje Lalpekhlua sent Subrata Pal the other way with a smart penalty for his fourth goal of the season, and it turned out to be the difference between the two teams.
Chhetri equalised for the hosts in the 85th minute but in 88th minute Ganesh sealed the hosts' fate with a brilliant header off Mihelic's floater.
Bengaluru coach Albert Roca would not take Chennai lightly as the rival team is good at scoring goals from set-piece situations.
Chennaiyin remained on the third spot with nine points after suffering their second loss in five matches.
Chennaiyin coach John Gregory has used the same winning combination for the last two matches but may be forced into making a couple of changes to tackle the visitors.
An 82nd minute goal from captain Henrique Sereno was enough for the former ISL champions to win their second match.
NorthEast United owner, Bollywood actor John Abraham too slammed the incident and said the team stood by the fan who was "victimised".
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