New Delhi: The Indian Super League (ISL) 2016 witnessed a nine-goal thriller with last edition's runner-ups FC Goa avenging their 2015 final defeat to Chennaiyin FC at Margao on Thursday.


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After losing eight of the previous 13 matches, the Goan side was already destined to finish bottom of the league table, but legendary Brazilian Zico and his boys ended the season in a high, defeating the defending champions, a side which is managed by Italian World Cup winner Marco Materazzi.


Chennai themselves finished seventh in the eight-team competition, with 15 points from their allotted 14 league games. Goa managed 14 points from as many matches.


Playing in front of a packed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium crowd, it was visitors who have tasted the first blood through a Jerry Lalrinzuala fourth-minute opener from a fre-kick. But Brazilian forward Rafael Coelho responded in style, equalising within two minutes.




But an own-goal from defender Gregory Arnolin once again handed the lead to Materazzi's side. Luckily for Goa, Spaniard Jofre converted from the spot in 21st minute to level things again.




Within seven minutes, Chennaiyin found themselves leading thanks to a Dudu strike. And at the half-time, the visitors were the better side, with three goals a not a single booking, against three Goa yellow cards.


But after the break, the hosts turned up as an inspired lot and soon by the 68th minute, and two substitutes, the score-board was 3-3. And the hero was the young Indian midfielder Sahil Tavora.


He was brought in for Mandar Desai during the interval, and went onto score a brace, including the injury-time winner.




Coelho, perfectly reflecting the trend, provided the lead to the home side with a 76th minute strike – his second of the night.


But the defending champs responded through John Arne Riise, who scored from the spot in the 88th minute.


Then came the final push for a winner, from both the sides. The open game allowed both the sides to go for the winner. At 4-4, in the last seconds of the minute, Travora produced a perfectly timed-run on the right flank, and curled a beauty from the edge of the box which found the inside of the far post.


The ball got a hefty deflection to beat Karanjit Singh and left Chennaiyin players stunned.



The 21-year-old, after scoring the winner ran the length of the pitch even as the Margao crowd celebrated the season's last match with a win.