LIVE OF THE ISL 2022 FINAL: Hyderabad FC defeated Kerala Blasters on penalties in the final of the Indian Super League on Sunday. Kerala had taken the lead through Rahul KP, but Hyderabad levelled through Sahil Tavora to force extra time and, ultimately, penalties.
The Kerala Blasters were heartbroken after competing in the final for the third time and coming up empty-handed yet again. Kerala Blasters reached the finals in 2014 and 2016, but both times they were defeated by erstwhile ATK, and hence their ambition of lifting the prized ISL Trophy remained unfulfilled.
Despite losing 1-0 in the second leg of the semi-final, Hyderabad FC qualified with a 3-2 aggregate win over ATK Mohun Bagan. Bartholomew Ogbeche, Yasir Mohammad, and Javier Siverio scored for Hyderabad in the first leg, which they won 3-1. Kerala Blasters, on the other hand, reached the ISL final for the first time since 2016, after a 1-1 draw with Jamshedpur FC and a 2-1 aggregate victory over the League Shield winners in the double leg semi-finals. Kerala won the first leg 1-0 thanks to a goal by Sahal Abdul Samad.
While followers of Ivan Vukomanovi’s side were sad that their team missed a third chance to win the coveted trophy, supporters of Hyderabad went insane when goalkeeper Kattimani went from being the best goalkeeper in the world to becoming the worst goalkeeper in the world. zero to hero saving three shots on target in the penalty shootout.
After a scoreless first half, Rahul KP scored a fantastic goal in the 69th minute to give Kerala Blasters their first goal. The striker fired a shot from outside the area, and despite a sliver of a touch from Hyderabad goalie Kattimani, the ball slid from his fingers and crept into the net.
Kerala looked to be on their way to triumph after that, when Tavora of Hyderabad FC spoiled their plans. Tavora tied the game in the 88th minute with one of the finest goals of the season.
After 120 minutes of football, the final was tied at 0-0 and went to a penalty shootout.
Both Hyderabad and Kerala had a memorable season, finishing first and second in the ISL 2021-22 season, respectively some scintillating performances. With 38 points, Hyderabad FC finished second in the table, while Kerala finished fourth with 34 points.
Both teams played in front of a sold-out crowd on Sunday, with fans permitted back into the stands for the first time in two years. The tickets sold out in record time, with thousands of Kerala fans flocking to Goa to see their favourite stars in action. The excitement was palpable for Hyderabad FC, who had made history by reaching the final for the first time.