ISL 2018 Final: Bengaluru FC vs Chennaiyin FC - Player Ratings
The four-month-long footballing extravaganza, the Indian Super League, came to an end as Bengaluru FC faced off against Chennaiyin FC in the summit clash at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
The home side finished the league on the top spot as they showed superb consistency throughout the group stage losing just four games and conceded the least number of goals.
They were on the verge of history as they could become the first side in Indian football to win the I-League and ISL in their debut seasons. Their opponents tonight, Chennaiyin FC ended on the second spot, eight points behind Bengaluru FC and were playing their second ISL final after winning it in the second season.
Chennaiyin FC emerged victorious in the end as they captured their second Indian Super League trophy beating Bengaluru FC in a convincing all-around performance. After an early Sunil Chhetri goal, Mailson Alves scored twice from the corner to take the lead.
Raphael Augusto made it three for Chennaiyin in the 67th minute of the match. Miku pulled one back at the death to make it interesting but Chennaiyin held on to clinch the title.
Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (5.5/10) - The Bengaluru and India No.1 put in a strong showing between the sticks as he was confident in his collection from the crosses and shots. He was unfortunate to concede from two setpieces.
Rahul Bheke (6.5/10) - The right wing-back for Bengaluru tonight was a livewire on the flank making marauding runs up and down the line. He put in a lot of good crosses into the box creating chances for the home side.
Erik Paartalu (6/10) - The versatile Australian played at the top of the three-man defence for the Blues due to the absence of the suspended Subhashish Bose and did a good job in the backline. He was replaced around the hour mark by Daniel Segovia as Roca made an attacking change.
John Johnson (6.5/10) - The Englishman slotted in at the right side of the Bengaluru defence and was strong in his tackles. He was always an option during setpieces for the home side.
Juanan (6/10) - The third man in defence for Bengaluru played on the left side and played out the ball well from the back showing his comfort on the ball. He was no-nonsense in his tackling.
Boithang Haokip (6/10) - The former Mumbai City FC played in a left-wing back role and used his pace well to make overlapping runs into the Chennai half.
Dimas Delgado (6/10) - The Spaniard played behind the attackers and controlled the flow of the game from the centre of the park. He was substituted at the end of the first half after going down with an injury.
Lenny Rodrigues (6/10) - The lanky midfielder slotted in at the defensive midfield position as he distributed the ball from the back. He was strong in the air and did well with his diagonal balls towards the wing players.
Udanta Singh (7.5/10) - The right wing player was always dangerous with his pace on the flank and provided the assist for the early goal when his cross was headed in by Chhetri. He was threatening on the break and made a lot of runs on the line. He provided the cross for the late goal scored by Miku.
Sunil Chhetri (8/10) - The in-form Bengaluru skipper opened the scoring for the Blues with a headed goal past Karanjit Singh after a great cross from Udanta Singh becoming the fastest goalscorer in any ISL final. He looked threatening whenever he was on the ball and had a couple of close chances thwarted by the Chennaiyin keeper.
Miku (6.5/10) - The Venezuelan striker looked off-colour today as he struggled against the formidable Chennai centre-backs. Still, he managed to score at the end as he headed in late from a cross put in by Udanta Singh.
Substitutes:
Victor Perez (4/10) - The recent signing for the Bengaluru side came on at the start of the second half to replace Dimas Delgado in the midfield.
Daniel Segovia (3.5/10) - The tall striker was put on after the hour mark as Roca went all out for the goal.
Nishu Kumar (4/10) - The young left-back came on to replace Erik Paartalu in defence as the coach infused pace into the lineup