Hello and welcome to our LIVE COVERAGE of the ISL 2017-18 final between Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
19.45 IST: Will Chennai's previous experience help?
.@ChennaiyinFC have been there and done that! Do they start as favourites?#LetsFootball #BENCHE #HeroISLFinal https://t.co/RI4JybtK4G pic.twitter.com/tsDLr3lcoO
#HeroISLFinal (@IndSuperLeague) March 17, 2018
19.40 IST: Bengaluru FC will be expecting another inspiring performance from their skipper tonight.
13 goals this season for this man! 3 in the last game! Will he score tonight? #LetsFootball #BENCHE #HeroISLFinal https://t.co/RI4JybtK4G pic.twitter.com/Nbk3JNtbkc
#HeroISLFinal (@IndSuperLeague) March 17, 2018
19.35 IST: Pitch side reactions.
You've picked Dhanpal Ganesh's favourite song Aaluma Doluma by Anirudh Ravichander! And here's the @ChennaiyinFC man speaking about the song.#LetsFootball #BENCHE #HeroISLFinal pic.twitter.com/dRIScIGQOX
#HeroISLFinal (@IndSuperLeague) March 17, 2018
We're about to write history tonight says @khuri8!
#LetsFootball #BENCHE #HeroISLFinal https://t.co/RI4JybtK4G pic.twitter.com/cZur8llj42
#HeroISLFinal (@IndSuperLeague) March 17, 2018
19.30 IST: Teams for the day.
Both @chetrisunil11 and Miku will lead the line for @bengalurufc while Henrique Sereno and Mailson Alves will marshal the defence for @ChennaiyinFC! Predictions for the #HeroISLFinal?
LIVE updates: https://t.co/RI4JybtK4G#LetsFootball #BENCHE pic.twitter.com/ljtrOKtJaY
#HeroISLFinal (@IndSuperLeague) March 17, 2018
Preview:
After finishing at the top of the league table in their debut season in the Indian Super League (ISL), Bengaluru FC face one last hurdle in Chennaiyin FC in the final on Saturday.
Bengaluru were by far the strongest team during the league phase, winning 13 of their 18 matches to lead the table with 40 points, eight more than second placed Chennaiyin.
They produced ample evidence of their form during the semi-finals, riding a hat-trick by skipper Sunil Chetri to thrash FC Pune City 3-1 in the second leg.
While Bengaluru dominated their opponents, Chhetri proved once again that he is one of the most consistent performers in Indian football.
Bengaluru fans will expect more of the same from their captain on Saturday.
In their short history of four years, Bengaluru have enjoyed unprecedented success.
They have won either the I-League or Federation Cup in every season and are overwhelming favourites to win the ISL title on debut.
However, Bengaluru face formidable foes in Chennaiyin FC.
Chennaiyin FC will also fancy their chances, having defeated Bengaluru FC 2-1 at their own den during the league stage, thanks to a last-minute goal from Dhanpal Ganesh.
Against FC Goa in the semi-finals, Chennaiyin FC negated the threat of Goa's dangerous strike pair of Ferran Corominas and Manuel Lanzarote and will hope to do the same against Sunil Chhetri and Miku, who have combined to score 27 of Bengaluru's 38 goals.