Top 5 memorable moments in the 2014 Indian Super League

Indian Super Leagues inaugural season surprised us all with both drama and excitement, and it changed the scene in Indian football. There werea number of game-changing moments in the first season last year, ones that will still be fresh in the minds of the fans whether they want to remember or forget them.As the second season of the Indian Super League is set to kick off on 3 October2015 in Chennai, we take a look at the top 5 most memorable moments in the inaugural season.

#5 The clashes on and off the field

Gregory Arnolin and Fikru were involved in an altercation on the field when FC Goa played Atletico Kolkata

The beautiful game can sometimes turn ugly too. Fikru Teferra Lemessa of Atletico de Kolkata was also involved in an on-field controversy when the Ethiopian international headbutted Gregory Arnolin of FC Goa and was later suspended for two matches and fined Rs 5,00,000. Later in the tournament, Fikru was also involved in an on-field clash with his team-mate Yakub Podany when Atletico de Kolkata faced FC Goa at the Salt Lake stadium.

It is still not clear why he didn’t participate in the semi-finals and finals of the tournament, and why he was not retained by Atletico de Kolkata for the upcoming season.

Atletico de Kolkata boss Antonio Habas and FC Goa marquee signing Robert Pires were also involved in a tunnel fight and it was claimed Pires was 'beaten and punched in the face' by Habas.

Habas was suspended for four matches of and fined Rs 5,00,000 for breach of the AIFF Disciplinary Code while Pires was suspended for two matches and fined Rs 5,00,000 as well.

“One of our players said that he was beaten by the coach of the other team,” Zico had said after the game. “Pires said he was punched on the face by the Atletico coach and it is very shameful.

“I am telling you what my players told me and I didn’t see that myself but I don’t think that Pires will lie and say something that didn’t happen.”

#4 Luis Garcia\'s \'ghost goal\' comes back to haunt him

One of Anfield's favourite sons Luis Garcia was robbed off a goal by officials in Atletico de Kolkata's away defeat to Kerala Blasters. Kolkata were losing 2-1 before Garcia equalized for them in the injury time of the second half only to be denied by the linesman.

Replays showed the ball clearly bounced on the line and was inside the frame of the goal. Kolkata skipper Luis Garcia, who scored a 'ghost goal' while playing for his former club Liverpool against Chelsea in a Champions League semi-final, eventually went on to lift the first ever Indian Super League trophy.

Garcia's 'ghost goal' created a lot of controversy as the ball never crossed the line, but the goal was given and Liverpool then went on to win their fifth Champions League title in Istanbul. One might think if Jose Mourinho was the linesman during the match against Kerala Blasters.

#3 Franco Colomba\'s celebration vs Mumbai City FC

Derbies can always turn out to be a heated affair whether it's the North West derby, Merseyside derby, Manchester derby, Madrid derby or the Kolkata derby. The Maharashtra derby didn't fail to disappoint us either.

But it wasn’t a player that had the crowd on its feet. It was Franco Colomba – the manager of Pune City FC – who kept the crowd entertained. Pune City were beaten 5-0 by Mumbai City in the first leg, and revenge was always on the cards when they met for a second time.

Colomba had said earlier in the tournament: “When I am happy I'm happy. Not possible at a later time. When we win, it's important to celebrate.” He did just that in the return leg.

This time, Colomba's Pune City came out on the top, winning 2-0 against their local rivals. Colomba was seen celebrating on the pitch not once, but twice with his goalkeeper. So much so that he was later sent off to the stands after the referee felt his celebrations were not in the spirit of the game. He had almost lost his reading glasses during his celebration.

#2 Sushanth Mathew\'s goal against Chennaiyin FC

Kerala Blasters' Sushanth Mathew scored an absolute stunner to make it 3-0 against Chennaiyin FC in the first leg of the semi-finals. The 33-year-old scored when curled the ball from 30 yards out to beat Chennaiyin FC defender Gennaro Bracigliano.

Chennaiyin FC, who were favourites to win the game after finishing at the top of the league in the group stage, were left surprised by Kerala Blasters – especially after this wonder strike that saw the fans blow the roof off the stadium. Mathew's strike proved to be crucial as Kerala Blasters beat Chennaiyin FC over the two legs to qualify for the finals of the inaugural Indian Super League.

Mathew, who shifted the ball to his left foot before taking the shot later revealed he 'pulled off the Cristiano Ronaldo trick'. Who would have thought a defender like Alessandro Nesta would be left watching aghast as he was beaten by a sublime shot from so far outside the box.

He will be playing for Pune City FC in the second season of the Indian Super League.

#1 Mohammed Rafique\'s injury time winner in the final

The 23-year-old midfielder scored the most important goal of the tournament that won Atletico de Kolkata the Indian Super League title. Rafique had just made one appearance for Atletico de Kolkata before the finals, and he was brought on as a substitute by Antonio Habas to break the deadlock.

He scored a brilliant header from a Jakub Podany pass in the stoppage time of the second half to make it 1-0 to Atletico de Kolkata. There was no time left for Kerala Blasters to come back in the game and were very unlucky to lose the game in that fashion.

"Everyone dreams of playing in the final. I too wanted to play in the final and for that I worked hard and the coach saw that,” Rafique said after the game. “These 30 minutes (he played 20 minutes) are the most important minutes of my life. When I was given this opportunity, I thought I will give it my best. I thank God for helping me emerge as the hero.”

Atletico de Kolkata's Apoula Edel made a few fine saves throughout the 90 minutes to keep them in the game, but in the end it was Rafique who emerged an unlikely hero. However, Habas has decided not to retain Rafique for the upcoming season, and accepted it was difficult to find him a role for him in the squad.