Coimbatore : Chennai City Football Club (CCFC) were crowned as champions in the 12th edition of Hero I-League, following their 3-1 win against Minerva Punjab in the final league match held here at Nehru Stadium on Saturday.
Coimbatore : Chennai City Football Club (CCFC) were crowned as champions in the 12th edition of Hero I-League, following their 3-1 win against Minerva Punjab in the final league match held here at Nehru Stadium on Saturday.
Though the home side team, CCFC would not equalise till the 52nd minute, it all changed when Akashdeep Singh (Minerva) was called for a handball in the box. Pedro Manzi put the penalty away for his 21st goal of the season, and won the Golden Boot race for the season (joint-first with Willis Plaza).
This season, undoubtedly the Spaniards hogged the limelight for CCFC but this time Gaurav Bora took the centre stage, as he scored a double in the 69th minute and 90+3 minutes for the home team.
It did not begin perfectly for the home team, as Minerva took an early lead in the third minute through Ukranian recruit, Roland Bilala. It was off a Juan Querro free-kick from the right flank, that he rose to beat his marker and lodged his header into the back of the net.
The title winners stood goal less till the 52nd minute of the game. Until, Sydney Vanspaul effort in the 53rd minute from distance missed the target but not by much. Two minutes later, the opening Chennai was looking was presented to them in a platter. Akashdeep Singh in an effort to clear handled the ball inside the box and referee Santhosh Bhaskaran had no hesitation in pointing to the spot.
Manzi utilized the penalty and brought back Chennai into the game in the 56th minute. Then Bora striked twice in the 69th minute and one in extra time, thus registered his name.
There were scenes of emotions and joy all around the stadium, as the referee blew the whistle for one last time.