Javier Hernandez scored a brace as ATK beat Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in the final of the 2020 edition of the Indian Super League to lift a record third title in front of empty stands at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday.
Javi Hernández scored a brace as ATK beat Chennaiyin FC 3-1 in the final of the 2020 edition of the Indian Super League to lift a record third title in front of empty stands at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Saturday.
Spanish midfielder Hernandez put his side ahead as early as in the 10th minute of the match with an excellent volley. Subsequently, striker David Williams passed the ball to winger Edu Garcia, who rolled the ball into the bottom corner to double the lead for ATK in the 47th minute.
In the 69th minute, forward Nerijus Valskis brought Chennaiyin FC back into the game by blasting the ball into the top corner to make it 1-2 against ATK before Hernandez scored his second goal in the stoppage time to ensure his side lift the trophy with a comfortable win.
ATK booked their place in the summit showdown of the tournament after registering a comfortable 3-2 victory over Bengaluru FC in the second leg of the semi-final clash at the Salt Lake Stadium. The Kolkata outfit slumped to a 0-1 defeat in the first leg, but the second leg win saw them storm into the title decider with a 3-2 aggregate win over last season's champions.
Chennaiyin, on the other end, edged out FC Goa with a 6-5 aggregate win in the semi-finals to progress to the final. Though FC Goa clinched a 4-2 win over the Chennai-based franchise in the second leg, it was just not enough to overturn their 1-4 loss in the first leg last week.
The final clash took place behind closed doors after the Health Ministry issued an advisory directing all federations and fans to avoid large gatherings in order to prevent the deadly COVID-19 pandemic from spreading.
Here are the highlights:
ATK beat Chennaiyin 3-1 to lift 3rd ISL title!
@ATKFC are the #HeroISL 2019-20 CHAMPIONS #HeroISLFinal #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/GfYxm1Vyzu
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
GOAL!! Forward Nerijus Valskis has brought Chennaiyin FC back into the game by blasting the ball into the top corner to make it 1-2 against ATK in the 69th minute.
69' Cracker of a finish @NValskis blasts the ball into the top corner to bring @ChennaiyinFC back in the contest.
ATK 2-1 CFC#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/mAPTUYTYFt
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
ATK's Michael Regin received a yellow card for a high boot straight on the shoulder of Edwin Vanspaul.
59' Yellow card for Regin for a high boot on @edwinsydney.
ATK 2-0 CFC#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
GOAL!!! ATK have moved closer to their record third ISL title after they doubled their lead over Chennaiyin FC after half-time. Striker David Williams passed the ball to winger Edu Garcia, who rolled the ball into the bottom corner for ATK's second goal in the 47th minute. It was the sixth goal for Garcia and first against Chennaiyin.
47' @Edu_Garcia90 doubles the lead for @ATKFC!@willo_15's through ball finds the Spaniard, who rolls the ball into the bottom corner.
ATK 2-0 CFC#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/3CODRHZYxZ
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
ATK have maintained their one-goal lead over Chennaiyin FC at half-time, thanks to Hernandez's early goal. Though they got plenty of chances to double their lead, Chennaiyin FC managed to deny them the same. However, the Kolkata-based franchise have lost Roy Krishna with the hamstring injury.
A bittersweet first half for @ATKFC, who have the lead over @ChennaiyinFC but have lost @RoyKrishna21 to injury!#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/s9HRN5Eppu
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
Substitution for ATK !! Roy Krishna was forced to walk off the field after pulling his hamstring. He is replaced by Mandi Sosa.
39' @RoyKrishna21 is unable to carry on due to an injury, and the @ATKFC top scorer tearfully leaves the field
Mandi comes on to replace him.
ATK 1-0 CFC#HeroISLFinal #HeroISL #LetsFootball
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
Soon after the referee blew the whistle for the very first time, Chennaiyin FC came out swinging. The Chennai-based franchise made a superb start to the final clash by bringing the ball into the penalty area of ATK inside 40 seconds. Midfielder Rafael Crivellaro got a chance to hit the ball on target, but the shot was stopped by the last man with a header.
ATK are going into the summit showdown with the same squad that defeated defending champions Bengaluru FC in the second-led of the semi-final. Chennauiyin boss Owen Coyle, on the other hand, have made one change in their playing XI. Germanpreet Singh has been called up in the midfield in place of Edwin Vanspaul.
Just a half an hour to go for the ISL final between ATK and Chennaiyin FC.
Half an hour to go for the #HeroISLFinal
Which colour will shine brighter tonight? #HeroISL #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/OImPKwQsUf
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
Lineups:
TEAM SHEETS
Here's how @ATKFC and @ChennaiyinFC line up for the 2019-20 #HeroISLFinal#HeroISL #LetsFootball #TrueLove pic.twitter.com/DVWpLAH1W5
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
Chennaiyin FC coach Owen Coyle talks about the mentality and preparation of the player ahead of the ISL final match against ATK in Goa.
| @ChennaiyinFC head coach Owen Coyle discusses team mentality, their preparation and more in an exclusive interview ahead of the #HeroISLFinal.#HeroISL #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/IfX7jrVXM5
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020
Chennaiyin FC forward Andre Schembri is set to bid adieu to the game following the ISL final.
.@andreschembri27 is set for his last bow!
Can the @ChennaiyinFC forward bid goodbye to the beautiful game with another in the bag and a #HeroISL winner's medal around his neck?#HeroISLFinal #LetsFootball pic.twitter.com/By8X3iGuM6
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 14, 2020