With virtually the last kick off the game, Mumbai City defeated ATK Mohn Bagan 2-1 to clinch The Indian Super League (ISL) trophy, at Fatorda stadium, Margao, on Saturday 13th March 2020.
The pulsating final brought an end to the four month tournament which kicked off on 20th November 2020 and was played entirely in Goa due to COVID-19. The pandemic meant that all eleven teams had to be locked in a bubble for the duration of the event.
Consequently, the logistics and infrastructure in Goa allowed clubs to travel from their five star hotels to the training ground with relative ease. The matches were played at Fatorda stadium in Margao, the Tilak Maidan in Vasco da Gama, and GMC Athletic stadium in Bambolim.
The games were played behind closed doors to maintain social distancing. However, fans from across the country tuned in to cheer on their teams as all the games were screened live on television and on mobile platforms.
Here’s how the ISL league table ended (pts):
1. Mumbai City (40)
2. ATK Mohun Bagan (40)
3. North East United (33)
4. FC Goa (31)
5. Hyderabad (29)
6. Jamshedpur (27)
7. Bengaluru FC (22)
8. Chennaiyin (20)
9. East Bengal (17)
10. Kerala Blasters (17)
11. Odisha (12)
Mumbai were crowned champions of the ISL league title and the top four qualified for the semi-finals of the knock-out tournament. The first placed team (Mumbai) had to take on the fourth placed team (Goa), while second (Mohun Bagan) and third (North East) also had to battle it out.
Over the two legs, Mumbai overcame Goa to reach the final, after the match had to be settled on penalties in sudden death. In the second semi-final Mohan Bagan got the better off North East to reach the final.
Mumbai’s win in the final over Mohun Bagan allowed them to secure the League winners shield and seal the double.
The triumph included Goan football stars such as Rowllin Borges and Mandar Rao Dessai, while FC Goa’s former Spanish coach Sergio Lobero masterminded Mumbai’s success from the sidelines.
In a touching gesture after the league stage ended, the players, coaches and management of Mumbai pledged to plant five trees for every goal scored in ISL 7, in the Goan capital of Panjim to say thank you for the spectacular hospitality.
There’s more of that to come as Goa gets set to host AFC Champions League 2021 group stage matches next month!
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