Chennaiyin’s win lends credence to the popular belief that matches are made in heaven as it sets up a dream final with its south Indian adversary in Bengaluru FC on March 17. After a gap of two years, Chennaiyin finds itself back in the summit clash. 

The Chennaiyin faithful held up a banner emblazoned with the words, “Chase, Fight, Conquer.” And Chennaiyin’s performance on the field epitomised those ideals as it chased the ball with the ferocity of a hound, fought with the bravado of a warrior and conquered its enemy with the poise of a champion.

Goa had its moments, especially in the first 15 minutes, when it earned a glut of corner kicks. Chances did come thick and fast for the Goans but that was all there was as they came to grief just as quickly with nothing substantial coming of them. 

In the 11th minute, Chennaiyin captain Henrique Sereno made a crucial interception from his counterpart Mandar Rao Dessai. That was the period of play when Goa dominated but its dominance yielded nothing as Chennaiyin striker Jeje Lalpekhlua scored for the first time in eight matches to put his team ahead in the 26th minute against the run of play.

If there was one head that was on the chopping block leading into this game, it was that of Jeje’s but that same head sent the boisterous gathering into raptures as he perfectly headed off an equally brilliant cross from Gregory Nelson from the left flank. Only three minutes later, Nelson came up with another superb aerial assist for local lad Dhanpal Ganesh to head the ball in. Those two goals deflated Goa no end and from that point on it became apparent that the Gaurs went on a doomed mission to square the spherical-shaped ball. 

With time ticking down fast, the 27-year-old Jeje added another goal with his left foot.