Goals from Brazilians Mailson Alves and Raphael Augusto gave Chennaiyin FC their second ISL trophy after winning in 2015.
Bengaluru FC started in spectacular fashion when skipper Sunil Chhetri led with 1-0 in the eighth minute, creating a new record by scoring the fastest goal in an ISL final.
Chhetri nodded in a cross from Udanta Singh past Chennaiyin FC goalkeeper Karanjit Singh in front of home fans at the packed Sree Kanteerava Stadium in southern Bengaluru city.
But minutes later Chennaiyin FC defender Alves pulled one back as he nodded in a corner.
A hush fell on the home crowd in blue when Alves delivered another deft header from a corner kick before the half-time break.
Midfielder Augusto scored in the 67th minute to cap off the game. “Yes, I got lucky two times in a row. It’s difficult but fortunately, with my teammates everything is possible and this year, we were amazing all this season and I think we deserve that. All the guys they are amazing and we’re very happy,” said Chennai skipper Henrique Sereno.
“This year we knew that our strength is from the defence and we showed (that) in the games and in the final too.”
Chennaiyin FC is now on par with Atletico de Kolkata as the most successful with two wins each in the tournament. Bengaluru FC have enjoyed a dream run since switching from the rival I-League, winning 13 of their 18 matches under the stewardship of former Barcelona defender Albert Roca.
The Spaniard, who joined the south Indian club as coach in 2016, was disappointed with Saturday’s outcome but hopeful for a quick revival. “I am for sure really sad because we would have liked to give that trophy, that win to our fans that they deserve,” Roca said.
Related Story
