Atletico de Kolkata claimed their second Indian Super League (ISL) football title in three years, bettering Kerala Blasters 4-3 (1-1 regulation time) via penalty shootout in an excruciating final yesterday.
The match was tied 1-1 at the break and after 90 minutes of regulation time. Mohamed Rafi put the hosts ahead in the 37th minute and Henrique Sereno Fonseca equalised seven minutes later at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium in Kochi.
Jewel Raja turned out to be the jewel in ATK’s crown after calmly dispatching the last penalty after Sameehg Doutie, Borja Fernandez and Javi Lara all converted their spot kicks. Only Iain Hume’s shot was blocked by Kerala custodian Graham Stack.
The home team took first strike in the shootout. Antonio German, Kervens Belfort and Rafique scored while Elhadji Ndoye blasted over from 18 yards and Cedric Hengbart’s shot was acrobatically saved by ATK goalkeeper Debjit Majumder.
Blasters fined Rs 6 lakh for misconduct
Kerala Blasters were yesterday fined Rs 6 lakh in two separate cases, for “team misconduct” and “liability for spectator conduct”, in their league game against NorthEast United on December 4. The All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) disciplinary committee sanctioned the fine under article 53A and 68, respectively, a release said.
Five Kerala players were sanctioned by the match referee during the match held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi, for which the committee fined the home club Rs 2 lakh. Kerala Blasters were also held responsible for the home fans’ misconduct and damage to the stadium property and fined Rs 4 lakh.
The match ended 1-0 in favour of Kerala, helping them reach the semi-finals and knocking NorthEast out in the process.
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