The road to the Indian Super League final has been fairly smooth for the 2015 champions Chennaiyin FC and debutants Bengaluru FC. The former are on a seven-match undefeated streak and the league’s latest entrants have been unbeaten for the last 10 games. At the end of the league stage they were also the top two teams this season. These numbers apart, the way the teams have been playing also makes this season’s title clash exciting.
No wonder then there was a great demand for the tickets for Saturday’s final at Bengaluru FC’s den: Sree Kanteerava Stadium. “The spike in online inventory was witnessed after BFC won the second-leg semis. Within the next two hours, around 8,000 tickets were sold online,” a BookMyShow official said speaking to The Times of India.
On Thursday, thousands thronged the stadium to buy tickets in person and many couldn’t. Don’t be surprised if the atmosphere for the final is electrifying.
BFC start favourites
The hosts have shown remarkable consistency throughout the season and it makes them the favourites on Saturday. Coach Albert Roca credited their early preparation for their performance.
“I think we started in August, before any other team because we had to play in the AFC Cup,” he said ahead of the final. “There is one more step to go. Right now, I am very very happy for the staff and the players. Also for the fans, they have always been behind us to support throughout the season.”
“We lost some games in the first part of the season. In the second part of the season, we showed better performances and I am happy for that. What is important is to maintain that shape throughout. I am very glad about the effort that the players put in. They never lost the concentration and we have been able to be in our regular shape all through the season.”
Can lightning strike twice?
One of the two teams that Bengaluru lost to at home is Chennaiyin FC. Their coach John Gregory believes that this experience will help his team on Saturday.
“The fact that we have come here and won gives us great confidence,” Gregory said. “We have been here before, that was my first time in the stadium. So I will know what to expect tomorrow. A very partisan crowd in there tomorrow as well. It gives a much better feeling knowing we have won there before. We are not the only team who have won there as well so we know they are not infallible.”
For Bengaluru and Chennaiyin, their talismanic strikers – Sunil Chhetri and Jeje Lalpekhlua – played their best in the crucial second-leg semi-finals. The Bengaluru skipper’s stunning hat-trick helped the Blues storm into the final at FC Pune City’s expense. And, Jeje scored twice in Chennaiyin’s win over FC Goa.
Coach Gregory believes Jeje’s going to be the major threat for the Blues on Saturday night.
“Jeje’s game is more than just scoring goals. He has contributed in so many ways. Jeje has played for us this season when we have only provided him with a couple of chances He works tirelessly for the team. In that respect, he never goes missing in matches. He is our first line of defence as well. His all-round the game the other night was superb from start to finish. He going to be a big danger tomorrow (Saturday), his confidence is very high.”
But, as Gregory conceded, “Bengaluru seem to come up with something new every game. They rarely repeat their set pieces. Albert I know works hard on that side of the game.”
And, in front of a raucous crowd – including the famous West Block Blues – Chennaiyin will have to play their best game of the tournament to stop the first-timers laying their hands on the trophy.
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