Chennaiyin in elite club with team effort

The back-room staff led by John Gregory worked on many principal areas ahead of the season, acquiring the services of many impact players through draft as well as open market. Brazilian Raphael Augusto, who was one of the key components during the title-winning season in 2015, signed a new two-year deal with Chennaiyin, keeping him at the club until 2019. 

The side also brought back towering central defender Mailson Alves, after he went onto represent NorthEast United FC in the third edition. 

He proved to be the difference between the two teams on the night of the final, putting his name on the scoresheet twice. With former ATK defender Henrique Sereno also joining the Season 2 victor, CFC’s defence was in safe hands after a horrendous showing in ISL 3. 

Englishman Gregory started off the campaign with three defenders at the back, a move which backfired as FC Goa slotted home thrice in the first half here. 

The idea of shifting to the traditional formula of fielding four at the back worked well for the two-time title-winner in its following encounters. Not only did right-back Inigo Calderon work in unison with Alves and Sereno in the defence, but also made his presence felt at advanced positions in the right flank. The Season 2 champion also snapped up creative midfielders like Spaniard Jaime Gavilan and Rene Mihelic, who fired at crucial junctures in various games despite limited game-time. 

New recruit Gregory Nelson saved his best for the last, setting up two valuable goals for Alves in Bengaluru. He was on fire in the second leg of the second semi-finals as well, providing two assists. 

Retaining a few Indian talents like Dhanpal Ganesh, Jerry Lalrinzuala and Anirudh Thapa from the previous squad only propelled the team in the positive direction under the new tactician Gregory. Local lad Ganesh, who sat on the sidelines during the last season, remained an engine in Gregory’s tactical plans. He was a regular starter, playing alongside Augusto in the heart of the midfield. 

Though centre forward Jeje Lalpekhlua was not in the limelight for most part of the season, he proved his mettle in the second leg against FC Goa at the ‘Marina Arena’ to secure a spot in the final. Another highlight for CFC was the number of goals it scored after the 80-minute mark.

It picked up six vital points from its away fixtures in Pune and Bengaluru, courtesy winners from Sereno and Ganesh respectively. A combination of all these led to a successful title triumph in the ISL.