Chennaiyin, ATK earn their place in ISL title decider

Job completed in the two-legged play-offs, by hook or by crook, both sides remained resolute when the tide seemed to be against them in the reverse leg. If Chennaiyin found itself 0-2 down inside the first 20 minutes against FC Goa, ATK suffered an early reverse at home against defending champion Bengaluru FC.

Still, they managed to turn the tables in their favour for a deserving place in the summit clash. In the first semi-final, Chennaiyin and Goa produced 11 goals, with the former emerging triumphant 6-5 on aggregate. In fact, it is the highest-scoring play-off tie in the six-year history of ISL, and probably the most thrilling one as well.

It seemed the tie was well and truly finished when Chennaiyin pummelled Goa 4-1 at home in the first leg. However, Goa mounted a brilliant comeback at home and came within a goal of overturning the result when it was 2-0 up in the first half. But Owen Coyle’s men managed to score two away goals to almost secure the tie.

Clifford Miranda’s men netted two late goals to ensure a nervous finish to the tie, with Chennaiyin emerging victorious. “I thought we were in the game even when it was 4-2 (in the second leg). We created a lot of chances and missed many. We were very close to winning the game, especially in the first half,” Goa interim coach Clifford Miranda said after being ousted by Chennaiyin.

CFC’s opponent ATK had to launch a terrific fight back to reach its third ISL title decider. It had been blunt in the first leg in Bengaluru, with the holder winning 1-0. ATK found itself on the back foot early in the second leg in Kolkata when Ashique Kuruniyan scored an away goal to doubleBengaluru’s advantage.

ATK had to score three times or wave its chances of reaching the final goodbye. Inspired by the likes of Prabir Das, David Williams, Roy Krishna and goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharja, Antonio Habas’s men completed the turnaround to dump Bengaluru out. No doubt, the finalists survived what have been two of the most engagingplay-off ties in ISL.

To add more prestige to the final, both teams will look to become the first club to win the ISL three times. With the added advantage of an AFC Cup spot on offer for the winner, expect Chennaiyin and ATK to serve up another classic as they face off in the decider for the first time.