Jamshedpur: On a dramatic final day of the ISL, when all 14 teams were in action, East Bengal FC emerged champions for the first time, pipping their arch-rivals Mohun Bagan Super Giant by goal difference after both finished on 26 points.
Odisha FC drew their last game to finish a largely disappointing season in 12th place.
Up against Jamshedpur FC at the JRD Tata Complex in Jamshedpur, Odisha FC managed a goalless result to take their tally to 11 points from 13 matches. They won just 2 games, drew 5 and lost 6 to be placed just ahead of Chennaiyin FC (9 points) and Mohammedan Sporting Club (3 points).
Odisha FC hardly had anything at stake as they would have finished no better than 11th if they won on Thursday.
However, as many as 6 teams had a chance to be crowned champions going into the final day’s fixtures.
East Bengal had the last laugh, after giving their thousands of fans a nervous time. Trailing 0-1 at half time, East Bengal scored twice after change of ends to win 2-1 over Inter Kashi.
Mohun Bagan, on the other hand, also pulled off a Houdini act to beat Sporting Club Delhi 2-1 after scoring the equaliser in the 89th minute and winner 8 minutes into stoppage time. But that wasn’t enough for the former champions as they finished well behind East Bengal in goal difference.
Mumbai City FC, who needed both Mohun Bagan and East Bengal to drop points, finished third after a 2-0 win against Punjab.
