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Chennaiyin FC huffed and puffed, but ultimately held on for a 4-2 aggregate win despite losing 2-1 in the second leg of the semi-final, as Atletico de Kolkata threw everything they had at the Salt Lake Stadium. Goals from Dejan Lekic and Iain Hume gave Atletico hope before Fikru put the game out of reach for the home side.Chennaiyin will now face FC Goa in the final in Goa on Sunday, 20 December, at Fatorda. We take a look at the major talking points from the game.All images courtesy of ISL
#1 Lekic troubles Chennaiyin
Antonio Habas was dealt a blow as Borja Fernandez was ruled out of this game with an injury picked up in the first leg. The big Serbian striker Dejan Lekic started in Borja's place, which meant Iain Hume had to play a much deeper role. And Lekic was relishing the challenge, as he didn't give Mailson Alves and Bernard Mendy a minute's peace.
It was his persistence which got Kolkata's first goal, as he pressed deep in the Chennaiyin half to latch on to Mendy's weak back header. He could have had a few more goals as well, with a bit more composure.
#2 Edel comes to the fore
Kolkata came out all guns blazing, just like they had to, to overturn the three-goal deficit from the first leg. But, they came up against a wall of sorts in Chennaiyin goalkeeper Edel Apoula.
The man with Golden Glove showed that he was well worthy of it, as he made some fantastic saves to keep a rampant Atletico de Kolkata side at bay. What was highly impressive was Edel's command of his area. He never hesitated to come well off his line to catch all crosses that came into his box.
There was little he could have done for both the Kolkata goals but Edel played a huge part in knocking his former side out of the tournament.
#3 Tempers flare up
As expected, in a game of this magnitude, there were a few bust-ups that ensured that there was always an edge to the game. It all started just before half-time when Jaime Gavilan caught Stiven Mendoza on the ear in the penalty area and the Colombian was determined to let the referee know about it.
In the second half, N Mohanraj could have got himself sent off for what looked like a headbutt on Mendoza, but he got away with just a yellow card.
Fikru replaced Mendoza and he was straightaway involved in the action as Sameehg Doutie alleged that the Ethiopian ran into him while coming on to the pitch. Chennaiyin's goal was another bone of contention as Kolkata fumed that Fikru should have given the ball back to the goalkeeper. Kolkata protested and Habas vented all his frustration at his officials, resulting in him getting sent to the stands.
#4 Hume\'s wonder goal
Iain Hume had a reasonably quiet night as he was started in a withdrawn role behind Lekic. Whenever he got close to threatening the Chennaiyin goal, he was denied by a resolute Chennaiyin defence.
But in the 85th minute, Hume sprung to life with an absolutely fabulous goal that set the cat amongst the pigeons as far as Chennaiyin were concerned. He received the ball and, after playing a neat one-two with Lekic, he unleashed an unstoppable left-footed volley into the top corner.
It brought the massive crowd at the Salt Lake Stadium to its feet as they began to believe that their heroes could pull off the unthinkable with the aggregate score reading 3-2 with mere minutes to play.
#5 Chennaiyin\'s contentious goal
After play was restarted with a drop ball, Fikru put the ball out for a Kolkata throw-in deep in their own half. From the resulting throw-in, Mohanraj and Amrinder made a big hash that allowed the big Ethiopian to walk the ball in for his first goal of the season.
Kolkata were livid as they felt Fikru was unsportsmanlike in not giving the ball straight back to the goalkeeper. A huge argument ensued as Habas was enraged with what he had seen from his former striker on the pitch.
According to the Japanese officials, Habas had overstepped the line and the Kolkata boss was sent off. Habas walked down the tunnel only to reappear again and give the match officials an earful.
