East Bengal's long wait continues as Chennai FC win maiden I-League title on dramatic final day

Mar 9 (AZINS) Chennai City crowned champions on Saturday (March 9) as they defeat Minerva Punjab 3-1 in Coimbatore to lift their maiden I-League trophy. As for East Bengal, they come from behind to defeat Gokulam Kerala 2-1 in Kozhikode, but it wasn't enough to secure a maiden I-League title.

Roland Bilala (3') had handed Minerva a shock lead, but, Pedro Manzi (56' Pen.) scored from the spot to equalize. Gaurav Bora's brace (69' and 90+3') however, sealed the title for the Akbar Nawas-coached side.

For Gokulam Kerala, Marcus Joseph gave them the lead in the 69th minute but a penalty from Jamie Santos Colado (79') and Laldanmawia Ralte's strike (85') helped East Bengal pick up the points.

However, Chennai City’s win against Minerva meant that East Bengal finished a point behind the South Indian side and had to settle for the second spot.