FATORDA: It was an all-Goan affair in Hyderabad FC’s first Indian Super League triumph. Laxmikant Kattimani produced not just a match-winning but also a career-defining performance saving three penalties in the shootout against Kerala Blasters, to help Hyderabad FC win 3-1 in the final.
In a night filled with action, goals, and drama, it was Kattimani and Sahil Tavora stealing the spotlight.
Kerala Blasters – they were thousands of them; They roared throughout the game as loud as they could get. Goa never witnessed such a vibe. However, they were silenced twice in the game. First it was Hyderabad’s Sahil Tavora shushing them with an 88th minute equaliser cancelling Rahul’s strike and then it was Laxmikant Katimanni’s heroics in the penalty shootout, sending them crushing!
Kerala Blasters couldn’t believe their luck. It was their third defeat in the final of ISL. The title eluded them once again. But for Hyderabad FC this was their maiden triumph in their first ISL final. The win was not just celebrated by the 200 odd Hyderabad FC spectators, but Goans across the State. And why not, the match saw two Goan lads produce magical moments on the pitch.
The first half was more of a midfield battle with Kerala coming closest to scoring in the 39th minute only to see Alvaro Vasquez see his shot kiss the crossbar. At the other end, HFC had an opportunity too. However, Prabhsukhan Gill expanded himself to make an incredible save to deny Javier Siverio’s header.
The game breathed life into the second half with both sides showing more urgency in the game. Both sides moved forward in search of a goal. But it was Kerala who nudged ahead in the 68th minute. Jeakson Singh won the ball in the middle of the park and sent in a ball to Rahul KP. The lad struck from outside the box, getting a dip right before Kattimani could dive, as the ball sneaked inside the goal. The custodian should have done better.
Ogbeche, who couldn’t do much throughout the game nearly scored the leveller from a set piece but golden glove winner Prabhsukhan Gill put up a full-stretch dive to keep his side’s lead intact. However, before the HFC player could get to the loose ball, the Kerala player cleared to safety.
With the clock ticking and Kerala Blasters fans roaring ever louder, it was Sahil Tavora’s moment to mark his beautiful campaign with a stunning goal. Halicharan Narzary sent in a dangerous ball in the area from the left, only to see Kerala defender clear the ball towards Sahil. And the lad volleyed home to get his side in the game.
In the Additional Extra Time (AET), the tired feet were clearly visible from both sides. It was evident the match was heading into the penalty shootout.
The Nizams were handed the advantage early when Kattimani saved the first penalty taken by Marko Leskovic and then he denied Nishu Kumar before stopping Jeakson Sing too. HFC then won the game with Narzary scoring the winning penalty. The win might be of the Nizams, but the victory will be celebrated by the Goans, who saw two heroes shining on a humid night at Fatorda.
