Chennaiyin FC defeated FC Goa 3-2 in the exhilarating final of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) Season 2 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao, Goa, on Sunday evening.

After a goalless first half, Bruno Pelisssari had given Chennaiyin the lead by converting a penalty in the 54th minute that was cancelled by Thongkhosiem Haokip in the 58th minute.

Although Jofre Mateu Gonzalez put FC Goa back in the lead in the 87th minute, two late goals in which John Stiven Mendoza was involved saw Chennaiyin FC being crowned champions.

FC Goa coach Zico unbothered his first eleven, as Romeo Fernandes and Mandar Rao Dessai played the wingbacks with Rafael Coelho Luiz and Dudu Omagbemi up front.

Chennaiyin FC coach Marco Materazzi meanwhile made one change by keeping out Elano to allow Pelissari to take on the pitch with Mendoza and Jeje Lalpekhlua in attack.

In a double blow to FC Goa, Dudu had to be stretchered out after suffering a knock to the back of his head when Mailson Alves won the aerial duel off Laxmikant Kattimani’s goalkick. Jonatan Lucca replaced Dudu.

Pelissari pulled the first trigger in the 17th minute that swayed wide of the left while Kattimani was on alert to clear the ball ahead of Mendoza who was sent through on goal by Jeje.

FC Goa were relentlessly thronging in attack and started creating a few chances around the half hour mark. Romeo sent a long lob to Rafael to try his best to control the ball in the opponent’s half to beat Apoula Edel but Mailson put in a crucial tackle.

Leo Moura’s low freekick got through the wall but took a deflection off Mehrajuddin Wadoo on its way wide of the target and from a flagkick taken by Lucca. Rafael’s header was blocked by Thoi Singh on the right near post.

In probably the best chance of the first half, Jeje and Mendoza combined well and the latter’s shot under pressure from Lucio was thwarted away by Kattimani for a corner in the 38th minute.

The second half resumed with a change that saw a new strategy by Zico as Moura made way for Haokip.

The crowd were silenced when referee Yudai Yamamoto pointed to the spot after Pronay Halder’s foul on Mendoza. Kattimani saved Pelissari’s penalty but the Brazilian followed up to bury the rebound in the back of the net in the 54th minute.

Haokip got the fans back on their feet just four minutes later as the Manipuri lad tapped in Romeo’s cross from the right in a move started by Lucca from the center of the park.

Mendoza was brought down once again in the box in an one-on-one situation with Kattimani. However, the FC Goa goalkeeper rose to the occasion with a full stretched dive to his left to deny the Colombian from the spot in the 62nd minute.

Both Haokip and Gregory Arnolin failed to connect their overhead efforts following Lucio’s header off Jofre’s corner kick in the 66th minute.

In another chance to pull ahead, Romeo charged down the right channel and released Rafael whose cross from the touchline had Haokip’s shot from close range saved by Edel in the 75th minute.

Chennaiyin too had their chances as Mailson shot straight at Kattimani and Elano, who had replaced Pelissari, curled his attempt wide.

Just as it could not get better for Zico’s side in the 87th minute as Jofre blasted his freekick past Edel, Mendoza caused havoc as he grabbed the winner in the first minute of the five minutes of added time.

The Golden Boot winner carried a pass by Jayesh Rane beyond the guards of Arnolin and Lucio and beat a hapless Kattimani. The winner came just one minute after Kattimani gave away an own goal to Chennaiyin when Wadoo’s cross deflected off the Goan goalkeeper into the goal.

Chennaiyin FC recorded a 3-2 win to win thei maidan ISL title.