Chennaiyin stun Goa late on to become new Indian Super League champions

Updated: May 17, 2023, 01:07 pm
Lucio and Stiven Mendoza struggle for the ball during the ISL final between Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa
Lucio and Stiven Mendoza struggle for the ball during the ISL final between Chennaiyin FC and FC Goa
(PUNIT PARANJPE/AFP/Getty Images)

Chennaiyin FC scored two injury-time goals to stun Goa with a last-gasp 3-2 win to become 2015 Indian Super League (ISL) champions on Sunday.

Goa goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani made two penalty saves but was at fault for a late Chennaiyan equaliser, before Stiven Mendoza -- who had earlier missed a penalty -- won the game in the dying moments.

Chennaiyin arrived at Goa's 19,000-capacity Jawaharlal Nehru stadium -- also known as Fatorda -- having won five out of their last six games, including four on the trot in the final league rounds that helped secure a place in the playoffs for the second edition of the tournament.

Goa -- managed by Brazil great Zico -- had only lost two in the last 10 and went into the game as the ISL's highest scorers with 32 goals, closely followed by Chennaiyin -- coached by Italian legend Marco Materazzi -- with 29.

The two sides contested a tight opening half with chances few and far between at Goa's Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, also known as Fatorda. Goa's Rafael Coelho had an effort blocked off the line, but Chennaiyin finished the half the stronger of the two sides.

Chennaiyin beat ISL holders Atletico de Kolkata to book their place in the final, and took the lead after Mendoza was brought down in the box by Pronay Halder eight minutes after the interval.

Bruno Pelissari saw his penalty saved by Kattimani, but the 22-year-old reacted quickest to finish the rebound 54 minutes in.

Goa struck back quickly as Thongkhosiem Haokip prodded home at the far post three minutes later to restore parity, but Chennaiyin were awarded another spot kick barely a minute later after Kattimani was adjudged to have brought down Mendoza.

However, Kattimani made amends with his second penalty save of the match, diving to his left to deny Mendoza.

Chennaiyin keeper Apoula Edima Edel was also in fine form as Goa went searching for the winner, making a good stop from Thongkhosiem Haokip 15 minutes from time.

Goa were awarded a free kick in a 88th minute, and Jofre stepped up to bend in a superb effort to spark wild celebrations -- but those were short-lived as Kattimani then made a huge error, colliding with his own player in the air while trying to collect a long ball and scoring an own goal in the process.

Chennaiyin weren't done there as Mendoza made amends for his penalty miss to then slot home the winner moments later.