Hyderabad FC wins maiden cup as Kerala's trophy drought continues
Gomantak Times
A wave of yellow encapsulated the Fatorda Stadium on Sunday night at the end of a dramatic 120 minutes of gametime and the ensuing penalty shootout. A colour which have been, over the years, metaphorically owned by the Kerala Blasters and their loyal following 'Manjappada' (Yellow Army) was seized from them last night by the three year old Hyderabad FC as they clinched their maiden Indian Super League title.
Hyderabad FC became champions for the first time while Kerala Blasters' search for their maiden ISL title continues. Fans of Kerala Blasters, who largely occupied the seats, had to witness their home team succumbing to their third defeat in a Indian Super League final.
After 120 minutes couldn't make the difference between Kerala Blasters and Hyderabad FC, the fate of the ISL final rested on the shoulders of the goalkeepers. Hyderabad FC goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani atoned for his error which lead to Blaster's goal by saving three penalties in a nerve-racking penalty shootout.
After a dull 30 minutes, Kerala Blasters' first real opportunity came in the 38th minute when Alvaro Vazquez received the ball inside the corner of the 18-yard box, who lobed the ball over Kattimani, only for the ball to bounce off the crossbar. Minutes later, Hyderabad came close to breaking the deadlock when Javier Siverio shot a powerful header towards goal but an excellent save by Kerala's keeper Prabhsukhan Gill kept the score nil-nil.
The first goal of the game came in the 68th minute when Kerala's Rahul KP shot a low, arching shot towards goal from outside the box. The curve of the ball confused Kattimani who couldn't grasp onto the ball but instead let it slide in between his hands into the goal.
At the other end, Rahul came to Kerala's rescue again when Ogbeche free kick in the 76th minute was parried by Gill onto the path of Juanan, who was denied an equaliser by Rahul's perfectly-timed tackle.
As the game reached its final minutes and as hopes of Kerala clinching their first ISL trophy started filling the atmosphere, Goa-born Sahil Tavora silenced the opponent's fans with a stunning half volley to score the equaliser and take the game into extra time. After 30 minutes couldn't separate the two, the game went into the penalty shootout.
In the shootout, keeper Kattimani ensured his vindication for his earlier error by stopping Marko Leskovic, Nishu Kumar and Jeakson Singh's efforts brilliantly. Kerala's Ayush Adhikari was the only player who scored a goal from the spot. For Hyderabad, skipper Joao Victor, Khassa Camara and Halicharan Narzary found the back of the net as Hyderabad FC secured the win with a 3-1 scoreline.