New Delhi: Chennaiyin FC reached the final of the Indian Super League despite losing 1-2 to Atletico de Kolkata in the semis 2nd leg on Wednesday.
Chennaiyin have been on top of their game and saw themselves on a winning run of five matches that was only broken on Wednesday. But by then their job was done. Getting a 4-2 score over two legs will please the Southern giants.
Chennaiyin have rode their luck after a breathtaking performance by the mesmerizing duo of Stiven Mendoza and Jeje Lalpekhlua. The pair's combination has been one of the highlights in the ISL this season as they have flourished well so far. They were supreme in the first leg and that helped Chennaiyin take the honours 3-0 which mattered in the end.
Both Mendoza and Jeje had put Chennai on a position of advantage in the crucial juncture of the season when they needed results to get to the last four. In the first semi-final in Pune, the duo dashed hopes of ATK by taking the game away from them.
Mendoza has scored the highest goals this season (12) ahead of Iain Hume of Atletico de Kolkata. Jeje meanwhile too has six to his name. Both these players have seven assists between them alongside the flurry of goals.
A lively Mendoza came close on Wednesday after his superb shot on target was parried off by an excellent Amrinder Singh.
Alongside Jeje, Mendoza has been involved in Chennaiyin's 11 goals in the last six games and their partnership could dictate the finale.
Jeje acknowledged after the tie on Wednesday that it has been the team work that got them to the final and vows to win it for the flood-affected people of Chennai. He had shared his views on the ISL official website.
Goa are the favourites to go into the tie given their home advantage but Chennaiyin's cureent form and run will make them believe that they can deliver when it matters most.
