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What's the story?
Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri created a new record by scoring the fastest goal in an ISL final, when he opened the scoring against Chennaiyin FC on Saturday night.
In case you didn't know...
Bengaluru FC face Chennaiyin FC in the final of the Indian Super League at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. They aimed to become the champions in their debut season of the ISL after winning the I-League in their first attempt back in 2014.
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The heart of the matter
Chhetri became the fastest goalscorer in the history of the ISL finals, when he nodded in a cross from Udanta Singh past Chennaiyin FC keeper Karanjit Singh. Chhetri scored in the ninth minute of the final to put the Blues into the lead.
The previous fastest goal record for the fastest goal in an ISL final belongs to Mohammed Rafi, who had scored the first goal in last season's final between Kerala Blasters and Atletico De Kolkata (now known as ATK). Rafi scored the opening goal in the 37th minute of the match as Kerala ended up losing the trophy to the Kolkata side in the penalty shoot-out after Henrique Sereno equalised for Atletico de Kolkata.
Chhetri's goal came after a good run by Udanta on the right as he latched on to a through-ball from midfielder Lenny Rodrigues. The pacey Udanta Singh put in a cross from the edge of the box and Chhetri did the rest. The Bengaluru captain Chhetri headed the ball into the goal with great placement and caught Karanjit on the wrong foot on the goal line.
What's next
Despite this goal, however, Chennaiyin FC pulled one goal back, as they Mailson Alves nodded in a corner just a few minutes later.
Author's take
Chhetri showed once again that he is the man for the big occasion, as he put the Blues in the lead early on. He may be 33, but he seems to be ageing like fine wine.
