Calcutta: There was drama, there was emotion and there were celebrations, too. In the end, Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) lost out on a final berth, despite raising hopes of a comeback in the dying minutes.
ATK's 2-1 victory at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday wasn't enough as Chennaiyin FC made the title round with an aggregate score of 4-2.
Dejan Lekic's lucky strike put the home team ahead in the 21st minute and Iain Hume doubled the lead with a brilliant volley that left Chennaiyin FC shaken.
With three minutes from the scheduled 90 minutes remaining and five minutes of injury time added to the match, ATK were desperate to go for the kill. Chennaiyin FC needed to hold on to their one-goal advantage then.
ATK head coach Antonio Lopez Habas was pacing up and down the technical area and vociferously egging on his players. Marco Materazzi then probably gambled by bringing on Fikru Teferra, the striker whose acrimonious exit from ATK last season had been the talk of the town. It was expected that Fikru would be hell bent on revenge. The ploy clicked, as Fikru seemed determined to upset ATK's rhythm.
As he entered the field, he elbowed Sameehg Doutie, prompting an argument with the South African. Almost all the ATK players were inside the rival box looking for the goal that would have taken the game into extra-time.
Fikru made most of the situation, and his opportunistic strike ended ATK's chances.
The striker nicked the ball away from Arnab Mondal, following a quick throw-in from the right. He had an open goal in front of him as goalkeeper Amrinder Singh was out of position.
Fikru dribbled his way past a defender before poking the ball in. The game was buried for sure now.
Fikru didn't stop there as his joy knew no bounds. His trademark cartwheel was followed by a back-flip as the entire Chennaiyin FC squad joined him on the ground.
Habas couldn't take it anymore. He entered the ground and got into an argument with the Japanese referee Yudai Yamamoto. The ATK coach was protesting the decision to continue with the match, when one of the Chennaiyin FC players was lying injured.
The referee then showed Habas the red card and he was forced to leave the ground.
The tension spilled over to the tunnel and the area near the dressing room after the match. "Is this what you call fair play?" Dutee was seen shouting at some of the Chennaiyin FC support staff that included co-owner Abhishek Bachchan.
Fikru, however, didn't wish to read much into it. "That I've been able to score for my team in this crucial game is good enough... Don't want to say anything more... Thank you," was what he said nonchalantly.
In the end, the 68,000-odd turnout, the highest this season, were witness to one of the most entertaining matches in this season's Indian Super League and possibly ATK's best performance. Habas had promised an attacking display on the eve of the match and his team were up to it.
ATK squandered at least a couple of chances. Once the crosspiece came in the way and on another occasion Gavilan Martinez's header was saved on the goalline.
Chennaiyin FC also must remain thankful to their goalkeeper Edel Bete, who was outstanding on the day.
Stiven Mendoza looked dangerous upfront, the ATK defenders having a torrid time to keep him at bay.
they had to resort to unfair tactics to stop the marauding forward. Once Mohanraj head-butted Mendoza right in front of the referee and was lucky to get away with a yellow card.
ATK wasted a gilt-edged opportunity when Dejan Lekic dribbled past a couple of defenders and with an almost open net in front but shot over from handshaking distance.
Hume though made amends with a brilliant strike. Hume summed up his performance this season nicely.
"I've missed only nine minutes this season... Despite not making the final, I don't think we've done too badly. I've enjoyed every bit of this... One of the most enjoyable seasons of my career. I will miss India and ISL."
ATK may have failed to defend the crown, but they certainly won the hearts of the fans.
More than despair, there was a sense of satisfaction in the ATK ranks.
TEAMS
Chennaiyin FC: Edel Bete, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Bernard Mendy, Dhanachandra Singh, Thoi Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Manuele Blasi (Zakeer Mundampara, 75), Elano (Bruno Pelissari, 71), Jeje Lalpekhula, Stiven Mendoza (Fikru Teferra, 87).
Atletico de Kolkata: Amrinder Singh, Arnab Mondal, Tiri, Augustin Fernandes, Rino Anto (Mohammed Rafique, 78), Gavilan Martinez, Arata Izumi, Mohanraj, Sameehg Doutie, Dejan Lekic, Iain Hume.
Referee: Yudi Yamamoto (Japan).
MoM: Edel Bete.
