ISL final: Even at 1-0 down, Chennaiyin were confident of beating Bengaluru FC, says Jeje

Jeje ISL final
Jeje celebrates Chennaiyin's third goal [Image: ISL]

After winning the Indian Super League title with a 3-2 win over Bengaluru FC in the final, Chennaiyin FC striker Jeje credited his team and the teamwork to get to the ISL final and lift the trophy - the franchise's second title in four years.

"It's amazing that we're here [lifting the trophy]," Jeje said after the game. "Before the season started the target was to lift the trophy. This is for all the Chennaiyin FC fans."

Jeje also praised his coach, John Gregory, who won the title in his debut season. He also became the only coach to beat Bengaluru FC twice in the same season - both times at Kanteerava Stadium.

"He's the man," Jeje said, praising the English coach. "It's because of him that we've got the result here and because of him we were able to lift the trophy."

This is also the first time the champions have had an Indian as their highest goalscorer. Jeje finished the season with 9 goals to his name as Chennaiyin lifted the trophy for the second time in four years.

"As a striker, my job is to score goals," he said. "But today was all about lifting the trophy. It's a credit to the teamwork - we have been working very hard and we have been helping each other; which is why we got a result here."

Also read: Chennaiyin's Inigo Calderon proud of two goal-line clearances against Bengaluru FC

"We could have scored more goals today," he continued. "For me, when Bengaluru scored the first goal, I was still confident that we could win. The team worked hard for the result."

This is not the first time he has lifted a league trophy at the Kanteerava. Jeje was part of the victorious Mohun Bagan squad that won the I-League title in 2015 with a draw on the final day of the season against Bengaluru.

So was this a sweeter win having played an integral role? He wasn't willing to pick one.

"For me, it's both victories," he said. "Winning the trophy here for the club and the fans is crazy! I would love to play more finals in this ground - it's a nice ground and we always have a number of fans who come to watch the game. Thank you to them!"

Also read: ISL Final Tactical Analysis - Chennaiyin execute gameplan to perfection to beat Bengaluru

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Edited by Rohith Nair
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