Chennaiyin FC stormed into the final of the Indian Super League football on 4-2 aggregate against defending champions Atletico de Kolkata despite losing the semifinal second leg 1-2 here today.
Chennaiyin, who beat ATK 3-0 in the semifinal first leg on December 12 in Pune, now take on FC Goa in the summit clash at Margao on December 20.
In search of three goals to overturn their first leg deficit, ATK started off on the front foot and were rewarded for their efforts with a goal from Dejan Lekic in the 22nd minute following a error of judgement by Chennaiyin defender Bernard Mendy.
Iain Hume reduced the deficit and brought the packed 68340 ATK supporters at the Saltlake stadium on their feet in the 87th minute after he converted from a Dejan Lekic cross.
But former ATK forward Fikru Teferra, who came in as a substitute, brought the heartbreak, scoring an injury time goal for Chennaiyin in the 90+2nd minute.
As ATK pressed for a third goal, it was their goalkeeper Amrinder Singh who showed silly judgement and went out of his area as Fikru gained the possession before slotting the ball home with ease.
It was Fikru’s first goal for his new team Chennaiyin and that shut the door on ATK.
ATK coach Antonio Habas was animated, and absolutely furious with the referee and the linesman after Fikru’s introduction in place of Stiven Mendoza in the 88th minute.
The referee sent off the Spaniard in the dying minutes of the match.
ATK got a ray of hope when the visitors’ most trusted defender Mendy committed a misjudgement costing them a silly goal in the 22nd minute.
Known for his solidity at the heart of defence, Mendy tried to head the ball back to his goalkeeper but had a loose connect and Lekic, lurking upfront, was quick to pounce on it with a deft touch past the onrushing Bete to reduce the aggregate margin to two goals.