In a one-sided affair, Chennaiyin FC secured the semi-final spot, defeating NorthEast United FC 2-1 in the three-game match in the eISL.
In the opening game, Navinh29 of Chennaiyin FC secured a comprehensive lead with a 4-2 win over Emaadrox.
Chennaiyin FC secured three points in game-2 with a dominating performance. SaranshJain7 walloped seven goals to thump the Highlanders while conceding one from muffuburhani.
The co-op game, effectively a dead rubber, saw NorthEast United FC restore some lost pride, scoring two early goals in the first half. The Highlanders in the second half extended the lead with another goal, winning the game 3-1.
SaranshJain7 was awarded the Hero of the Match award for firing eight goals.
In the penultimate match, Hyderabad FC produced an impressive performance to finish their season on a high, defeating Mumbai City FC.
Mumbai City FC were looking to clinch the first game before Hyderabad FC slotted an equaliser in the 74th minute. However, the game still had a twist in it. Mumbai City FC scored a late penalty awarded to them in the dying minutes of the game, meaning the Islanders secured the first game.
The two clubs continued to come back at each other with hard blows. MCFC led the proceedings with an early goal, however, Hyderabad brought the game back in the balance with a strike in the 38th minute. Hyderabad FC’s Aadizema continued to put his best foot forward and kept the game alive with a goal in the stoppage time to take the match to the decider.
The captivating co-op game saw Mumbai City FC once again put themselves in the driver’s seat. A similar script soon followed, replicating game-2. Hyderabad FC restored the parity with a goal in the 26th minute. And similarly went into a lead with a goal in the 52nd minute to clinch three points.
The win for Hyderabad meant they finished their season with 23 points (7 wins, 11 losses and 2 draws). Meanwhile, Mumbai City FC secured a semi-final berth with 36 points, finishing third on the table.
In the final league game of the eISL, Kerala Blasters FC came out on top with narrow margins against SC East Bengal in an exciting clash.
Kerala Blasters FC struck early, scoring from the set-piece in the 4th minute. Then, SC East Bengal retaliated with the equaliser. However, the comeback did not bog the Blasters down. Kerala responded with two more goals to make the scoreline 3-1. The game ebbed and flowed, ending in a nail-biting finish of 5-6 in favour of the Blasters.
Game-2 proved to be equally exciting. Kerala Blasters FC scored within the first two minutes of the game, however, SC East Bengal got into the groove with two back-to-back strikes to take the lead from behind. The topsy-turvy of an encounter ended finally ended in a 5-5 draw.
In contrast to individual games, the co-op clash went down quietly in a 1-1 draw that meant Kerala Blasters FC clinched with three points.
