A last-minute goal from Hyderabad’s Sahil Tavora forced extra-time, and later penalties, in Fatorda, where, for the first time this season, fans were allowed to take their seats in the stands. The Nizams reigned supreme in the shootouts, claiming their first title.
Hyderabad FC marked their rapid ascension from obscurity by winning their maiden Indian Super League title on penalties against a third-time unlucky Kerala Blasters. The Nizams had finished bottom of the table three years ago in their debut season, but Manolo Marquez’s men completed a remarkable turnaround on Sunday night by beating the Blasters for their first-ever title.
Kerala Blasters had barely made the playoffs following a grueling season; Hyderabad, meanwhile, had come agonizingly close to lifting the League Winners Shield before falling away in the final weeks. The two sides played an even game on the night, with chances few and far in-between during a cagey first half. The best opportunity of the first period fell to Kerala’s Alvaro Vazquez, who, from the edge of the box and moving away from the goal, somehow struck his shot against the crossbar.
More avenues opened as fatigue caught up to the players in the second half. A momentary lapse in concentration from Akash Mishra in the 68th minute allowed three Kerala players to swarm him and steal the ball away, which Rahul KP brought forward before releasing a speculative shot from the edge of the box that Laxmikant Kattimani spilled into his net for the opening goal.
It took a moment of magic from Sahil Tavora to get Hyderabad back into the match. When the ball fell his way following an unsuccessful set-piece in the 88th minute, Tavora lashed it back towards the opposition goal on the half-volley from outside the box – Prabhsukhan Gill had no chance, as it nestled into the corner.
Into thirty minutes of extra-time, Jeakson Singh rattled the bar again for Kerala while Marko Leskovic denied Bartholomew Ogbeche on the line.
Penalties ensued and Kattimani turned out to be the hero for Hyderabad by saving from Leskovic, Nishu Kumar, and Jeakson, allowing Halicharan Narzary to win the title for his side with the deciding spot-kick. Hyderabad emerged victorious 3-1 in the shootout.
