Chennaiyin are champions

Margao, Chennaiyin FC scored twice in the 90th minute to snatch a pulsating 3-2 victory over FC Goa to win the second edition of the India Super League here today.
Colombian striker John Stiven Mendoza compensated for his missed penalty to score in the 90th minute and claim the victory. He also became the highest goal-scorer of the eight-team tournament with 12 goals.
The match was goalless at halftime, but it sprang into life when Bruno Pelissari (54th minute) gave the visitors the lead with a penalty. Thongkhosiem Haokip (58th) and Joffre Mateu (88th), however, made it 2-1 for Goa.
But an own goal in the 90th minute from goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani turned the tide, and an opportunistic goal from Mendoza seconds later saw Chennaiyin claim the thrilling victory.
Goa coach Zico had named an unchanged side after beating Delhi Dynamos 3-0 in the second leg of the semifinal. Chennaiyin coach Marco Materazzi benched marquee Brazilian Elano, opting for attacking midfielder Bruno Pelissari in their only change in the starting line-up.
Chennaiyin’s offensive play revolved around Mendoza, just as Goa’s was dependant on Leo Moura. Goa’s dependence on the Brazilian deepened further when Dudu Omagbemi had to be substituted in the eighth minute following a clash of heads during an aerial tussle. Both teams were nervous and physical in their approach, aiming to wrestle the initiative. Wrong passes were frequent and the action failed to hit any rhythm despite some dangerous moves.
Goa blink first
The match threatened to be a battle of attrition with both sides preferring to wait for the other to commit mistakes. Goa blinked first when defender Pronay Halder’s clumsy challenge brought down Mendoza, and Chennaiyin were awarded a penalty in the 54th minute. Pelissari’s penalty kick was blocked by goalkeeper Kattimani, but he couldn’t stop Pelissari from pumping in the rebound.
With the home side trailing, the pace of the action picked up and Goa equalised four minutes later when second-half substitute Thongkhosiem Haokip, in for Moura, tapped in from close range.
Mendoza’s miss
Mendoza won his team’s second penalty after being tripped by Kattimani in a one-on-one situation. But his resultant penalty was blocked by Kattimani, diving to his left. Goa gained in confidence after the saved penalty and were egged on by a vociferous home support. Joffre Mateu sent the expectant crowd into a frenzy when he curled a dipping left-footed free-kick into the corner of the net three minutes from regulation time.
It seemed it was enough for Goa to claim victory but they were left stunned when Kattimani punched the ball into his own net while trying to foil an aerial challenge from Mendoza. The home side was still to come to terms with the late shock when Mendoza delivered a hammer blow to their ambitions, capitalising on the falling concentration of the Goa defenders.