D-Day is here. The final of the Indian Super League (ISL) season 2 begins in just some hours. FC Goa take on Chennaiyin FC in the grand finale of ISL 2015 on Sunday, 20 December, at the JLN Stadium in Fatorda, Goa.
Blood, sweat, and tears -- that is what it took for the teams to reach this position. After gruelling 14 matches in the league season within a span of just three months, FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC made it to the last four, along with Atletico de Kolkata and Delhi Dynamos.
Kolkata and Delhi were outclassed in every department in the football pitch, and it were Goa and Chennai, who stood tall after the end of the ISL 2015 semi final.
The journey for both teams this year, has been sensational, to say the least. But now, the previous results don't matter anymore; the ISL 2015 final is a way different ball game. All eyes are now upon the two masterminds of the game -- Zico, head coach, FC Goa, and Marco Materazzi, head coach, Chennaiyin FC.
"I think for me, it's very important [to lift the ISL trophy]," FC Goa marquee player Lucio said in the pre-match press conference. "Past is past [referring to his previous triumphs]. I'm enjoying it and it's very important for me [winning the trophy].
"I think every game is history. Whoever keeps balance and plays good football will win," the World Cup winner with Brazil, added.
The Samba action in the ISL 2015 final will not be missed as both teams have a Brazilian star each in their midst as the marquee player. Chennaiyin FC also have former FIFA Confederations Cup winner with Brazil, Elano Blumer as their marquee player.
"Both the sides are dangerous and attacking. Concentrating more and making fewer mistakes will be decisive," Elano, also a former Manchester City man, said. "I'm very happy with what I have achieved in my career. With Chennai, I'm happy with what we have achieved so far, so for the final we'll try to do our best," the midfield maestro added.
Squads list
FC Goa: Elinton Sanchotene Andrade, Luis Barreto, Laxmikant Kattimani, Lucio (marquee), Gregory Arnolin, Luciano Sobrosa, Keenan Almeida, Nicolau Colaco, Raju Gaekwad, Debabrata Roy, Narayan Das, Joffre Mateu Gonzalez, Leo Moura, Jonatan Lucca, Denson Devdas, Pronay Halder, Bikramjit Singh, Mandar Rao Dessai, Romeo Fernandes, Reinaldo Da Cruz Oliveira, Rafael Coelho, Macpherlin Omagbemi Dudu, Thongkhosiem Haokip, Victorino Fernandes, Joaquim Abranches, CS Sabeeth.
Chennaiyin FC: Karanjit Singh, Nidhin Lal, Apoula Edel Bete, Éder Monteiro Fernandes, Justin Stephen, Bernard Mendy, Abhishek Das, Lalhmangaihsanga Ralte, L. Dhanachandra Singh, Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Mailson Alves, Alessandro Potenza, Gilbert Oliveira, Elano Blumer (marquee), Godwin Franco, Thoi Singh, Harmanjot Khabra, Raphael Augusto, Bruno Augusto Pelissari de Lima, Zakeer Mundampara, Manuele Blasi, Fikru Teferra Lamessa, Jayesh Rane, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, John Stiven Mendoza Valencia.
Where to watch the game
The ISL 2015 final between between FC Goa and Chennaiyin FC is scheduled to kick off on Sunday, 20 December, at 7 pm IST (1:30 pm BST, 8:30 am ET).
Viewers in India can catch the game on Star Sports 1, Star Sports HD 1, Star Sports 2, Star Sports HD2, Star Sports 3,Star Sports HD3, Star Utsav, Star Gold (both Hindi), Asianet Movies (Malayalam), Jaya Max (Tamil), Suvarna TV (Kannada) and Jalsha Movies (Bengali). The live streaming is available on Starsports.com and Hotstar.
Viewers in the UK, South East Asia, Singapore, and Hong Kong can catch the game onStar Gold.
Viewers in Canada can watch the game on CBN and ATN.
Viewers in the US and Australia can tune in to Fox Sports. The live streaming is available on Foxsoccer2Go and Foxtel.
Eurosport remains the destination for the viewers in Europe. The live streaming is available on Eurosport Player.
Audience in the Middle East and North Africa can also catch the ISL game on OSN, with live streaming option on OSN Play.
