Looking back at the final matches of the Indian Super League

Kerala Blasters are set to take on Hyderabad FC in the ISL 2021/22 final.

The Indian Super League 2021-22 is about to reach the ultimate climax. The best teams with sheer resilience and hard work have made it to the top four. Jamshedpur FC have won the League Winners’ Shield this time, going past other contenders like Hyderabad FC and ATK Mohun Bagan. In the playoffs, Kerala Blasters and Hyderabad FC defeated Jamshedpur FC and ATK Mohun Bagan to make their way to the final.

Thus, without any doubt, the Indian Super League and the fans across the country or rather the globe are all set to witness another cracker of a finale on 20 March, at the Fatorda Stadium. Luckily, after 2019/20 and 2020/21, the final match will be played in the presence of fans.

Before the drums for another grand finale start rolling, let’s look back at the final matches of the past seven seasons.

7. Mumbai City FC Vs ATK Mohun Bagan (2020/21)

The encounter between the two titans of the ISL took place on 13 March, 2021, at the Fatorda Stadium, Goa. Mumbai City were already one up on the Mariners, as they had managed to win the League Winners’ Shield a few days prior to the playoffs. After an extremely successful and dominant season under Spaniard Sergio Lobera, the City Football Group side were ready to clinch a league double.

In the 18th minute, Mumbai City’s sloppy defending helped David Williams put the Mariners in front. However, that lead didn’t last long, as in the 29th minute, Bagan defender Tiri headed a long pass from Ahmed Jahouh into his own net, thus restoring parity.

The most enticing aspect of a high-voltage clash in football is a late goal. The same happened in the 90th minute, when a mistake from Arindam Bhattacharya led to Bartholomew Ogbeche getting hold of the ball on the edge of the box. The Nigerian tried to dribble past his opponent and the ball ultimately fell to Bipin Singh’s feet, who won it for the Islanders.

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6. ATK Vs Chennaiyin FC (2019/20)

The final of the 2019/20 ISL season was the first one to be played behind closed doors, as the world had already been hit by the COVID virus. The match was to be played at the Fatorda Stadium. The event took place on 14 March, 2020. This season witnessed the introduction of the League Winners’ Shield. FC Goa ended the league phase on top and as per the rules, earned a spot in the AFC Champions League.

The match started with Javier Hernandez (Javi) breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute. In the 40th minute, ATK forward Roy Krishna suffered an injury and had to be taken off. Armando Sosa Pena replaced him. However, the absence of the Fijian talisman didn’t go against the flow, as Edu Garcia added to the score three minutes after the second half started.

In the 69th minute, Nerijus Valskis gave some hope to the Chennaiyin camp. The fans too sensed a comeback. But, a 93rd minute goal from Javi made sure that the trophy was heading to Kolkata!

5. Bengaluru FC Vs FC Goa (2018/19)

Bengaluru FC finally tasted success in the ISL when they defeated FC Goa in the final of the 2018/19 season at the Mumbai Football Arena. The match was played on 17 March, 2019. A solitary goal from Rahul Bheke in the 116th minute sealed the success for BFC.

This was the second season when the Blues participated in the ISL. Previously, after their inception, they had won the I-League a couple of times. Meanwhile, for FC Goa, it was a night to forget.

4. Bengaluru FC Vs Chennaiyin FC (2017/18)

It was the second Indian Super League triumph for Chennaiyin FC. Meanwhile, the new entrants to the league, Bengaluru FC ended their league stage campaign at the top of the table with 40 points, eight points clear of second-placed Chennaiyin.

The ISL final started in fine fashion, as it took only nine minutes for Bengaluru FC to break the deadlock, courtesy their skipper Sunil Chhetri. However, the lead didn’t last long. In the 17th minute, Mailson Alves restored parity for Chennaiyin. Just before the break, Alves netted another goal for the Marina Machans. In the 67th minute, Raphael Augusto added the third for his side. In the 92nd minute, Miku scored Bengaluru’s second goal of the night.

3. Kerala Blasters FC Vs ATK (2016)

This was the only occasion when the ISL final went to a penalty shootout. The final was staged at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kochi on 18th December, 2016. The official attendance registered for this match was 54,136. Simply outstanding!

The match ended 1-1 after extra-time. Both goals came in the first half. In the 37th minute, Mohammed Rafi opened the scoring for Kerala Blasters. In the 44th minute, Henrique Sereno scored the equalizer. Eventually, the game went on to penalties, where ATK edged past Kerala Blasters 4-3 and won the Indian Super League for the second time in three years!

2. FC Goa Vs Chennaiyin FC (2015)

The second edition of the Indian Super League witnessed two new finalists in the form of FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC. The ISL final was played on 20th December, 2015, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa.

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Late drama is directly proportional to ISL finals. This finale was no different. The goals started pouring in from the 54th minute, after Bruno Pelissari gave the Marina Machans their lead. The equalizer from FC Goa came four minutes later, when Thongkhosiem Haokip netted the ball into the Chennaiyin goal.

In the 61st minute, Chennaiyin were awarded another penalty, which was again saved by Laxmikant Kattimani. The match looked to have turned in favour of the Gaurs, when Joffre Mateu gave them the lead in the 88th minute. But, late drama resulted in the trophy slipping from the hands of FC Goa. The goalkeeper who had saved two penalties in the match, scored an own goal in injury-time. Moments later, Stiven Mendoza sealed the third for Chennaiyin.

1. Kerala Blasters Vs ATK (2014)

The first edition of the ISL kicked off in Kolkata where ATK defeated Mumbai City 3-0. Eventually, it ended with ATK lifting the trophy after defeating Kerala Blasters in the grand finale. The match was played at the DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai.

The teams were separated by just a solitary goal. Who scored that goal? It was Mohammed Rafique, who was hardly used by ATK tactician Antonio Lopez Habas throughout the league. Speaking of the goal, it was a 95th minute header.

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