ISL 2019-20 Final Highlights: ATK became the team with the most number of ISL titles.
ISL 2019-20 Final, ATK vs Chennaiyin FC Highlights: ATK won their third Indian Super League (ISL) title infront of an empty Fatorda Stadium in Margao on Saturday after beating Chennaiyin 3-1 in the final.
After taking a 10th-minute lead from a Javi Hernandez left-footed volley, ATK never failed to drop their lead as Edu Garcia doubled it in the 48th minute. Although Nerijus Valskis pulled on back in the 69th minute, Javi Hernandez put the final nail in the coffin when he scored the third in injury time. With this win, Antonio Habas became the first manager to win two titles, who saw his team beating defending champions Bengaluru FC 3-2 in the semi-final.
Highlights
ATK ARE THE 2019/20 ISL CHAMPIONS! Antonio Habas becomes the first manager to win two titles after his team sees it through and manages to avoid any late drama after Nerijus Valskis had pulled one back in the 69th minute. Javi Hernandez's brace and Edu Garcia's goal proved to be enough for the Kolkata-based side to lift their third title. Utter jubilation for ATK here, which one would suspect would be even more if the fans were in attendance! With that, the ISL season comes to an end.
GOAL! Javi Hernandez finds himself in space for a Pronay Halder ball, and he dribbles past the defenders and the goalkeeper and puts an end to the contest with a calm left-footed finish. Game, set, and match for ATK!
Eli Sabia is carded for bringing down Edu Garcia rather cynically on the left wing. The ATK attacker was through on goal there.
Arindam is having the game of his life as he has made around four/five crucial saves to keep ATK in the lead. But Chennaiyin aren't giving up now as they are completely in the control with ATK having their backs to the wall. Victor Mongil is on for them to help them hold their lead. Mandi Sosa Pena who came on for Krishna makes way.
Crivellaro has a shot on goal, and then Edu Garcia comes very close to making it three for ATK, and now Valskis again with a heading opportunity. The final is in its final ten minutes now and the adrenaline levels are quite high. Can ATK hold on?
And Andre Schembri's career comes to an end as he is substituted off for Dragoș Firțulescu. The Maltese international had 94 international caps to his name, and scored 5 goals this season. Chennaiyin are ready for the final surge now.
Even after Arindam kept out Valskis' header just minutes after conceding, Chennaiyin haven't lost hope. They are attacking in swarms now, not giving ATK an inch of peace. ATK is sticking to hoofing balls back into the other half for now.
BACK IN IT! What a hit by Nerijus Valskis even when he had lost his footing and was falling down to the ground. Lallianzuala Chhangte with the assist. He is now the joint-highest scorer in the league with 15 goals with Bartholomew Ogbeche and Roy Krishna. Game on! And we all know that Owen Coyle's Machans never ever give up. Into the final 20 now.
Vishal Kaith is brought again into action and he makes a fine near-post save! Prabir Das makes a lung-bursting run and his shot earns ATK a corner, from which he again tries to find the goal, but well wide. ATK are hungry for more here.
After Mandi Sosa Pena gets a yellow card for bringing down Rafael Crivellaro at the centre-circle, Michael Regin gets a yellow card for kicking Edwin Banspual. Getting a bit feisty here from the side leading the match.
All quite in Margao for now as Chennaiyin are still finding for gaps in ATK's armour. But they have been unsuccessful so far as they are sticking down to the flanks and hoping for a crossing opportunity. ATK looking happy to defend.
GOAL! Edu Garcia scores his 6th goal and gives ATK a big push for their third title. David Williams with a brilliant assist.
The second half starts! Can Chennaiyin turn things around?
Chennaiyin make a late surge and found a golden chance through Schembri's head as his head goes left off the goal. On the other hand, Sumit Rathi receives some medication. ATK hold on to their lead through some scrappy football, and that is that.
ATK's talisman and captain, Roy Krishna has his first ISL season ended as he goes off injured. He receives a lot of pats on his back and ends up in tears. From what it seems, it's a thigh issue. Mandi Sosa Pena is on for the Fijian.
Barring a Valskis free-kick that hit the wall and a Crivellaro run, there haven't been much shots on goal in the last few minutes. ATK though are clearly on backfoot now, as Chennaiyin are crowding the midfield and starting their attacks from the heart of the midfield.
WHAT A SAVE! Rafael Crivellaro's free kick lands perfectly on the head of Andre Schembri, and the Bengali goalkeeper just leaps high in the air and pushes it wide off the right post. Three saves in the last five minutes.
This is end-to-end stuff in Margao right now. Valskis again finds himself in a nice bit of space and his right-footed shot just is too weak to trouble Arindam. And he follows it up with another shooting opportunity from outside of the box. The Lithuanian is on fire!
Another attack by ATK and Chennaiyin are again found on their backfoot! Roy Krishna absolutely skips past everyone on the right wing, and the deflection is managed off the line by a foot from Laldinliana Renthlei. A huge sigh of relief for the Machans!