Bengaluru: So close, yet so far was the story for Sunil Chhetri at the Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, as he sat their crunched in his knees and with Chennaiyin players celebraring around.
He had led his team to the final — one many expected them to win and Chhetri ensured them the best possible start with a goal early into the game. But contrastingly, the trophy landed in the opposition’s hands who had scored three, powered by Mailson Alves’ double header.
Yet Chhetri would not go home empty handed. The ISL title may have eluded but he was announced ‘Hero’ of the League. The stadium broke into raptures and he stepped up to take the title. He had led Bengaluru FC by example and with leadership.
The BFC skipper was not only instrumental in taking Bengaluru FC to the final scoring a hat-trick in the semifinals against FC Pune City but also his partnership with Venezuelan co-striker Nicolás Ladislao Fedor or Miku made his team a force to reckon. He led from the front setting examples for others to follow.
His impact was visible throughout the league including the final where he scored with a flying header to give BFC an early lead. He is the highest Indian scorer with 14 goals and third in the overall list behind Golden Boot winner Ferran Corominas (18) of FC Goa and his teammate Miku (15).
ISL-4 also belonged to a number of emerging Indian talents with players like Udanta Singh, Ashique Kuruniyan, Sarthak Golui, Hitesh Sharma, Jitender Negi, Pranjal Bhumij, Baoringdao Bodo all making a mark with their stand-out performances.
But Kerala Blasters FC’s 23-year-old Mizo defender Lalruatthara walked away with the ISL Emerging Player of the Season Award. The ex-Aizwal FC player, Lalruatthara was a regular in the KBFC line-up playing in 17 out of their 18 games, testifying the confidence that the coach and captain had in him.
BFC’s 21-year-old Manipur forward Udanta Singh walked away with the DHL Winning Pass of the League Award. Both BFC’s goal in the final against CFC on Saturday came from Udanta’s assist. First it was Chhetri who scored the opening goal from a cross from Udanta and then Miku pulled one back in the dying minutes from an assist from the 21-year-old.
FC Goa star striker Ferran Corominas won the Maruti Suzuki Swift Golden Boot for his consistency in finding the back of the net. If FC Goa has made it to the semis, Coro definitely has played a very big role in it. His swiftness, accuracy and a goal conversation rate of over 38% made him one of the most feared strikers this season.
The Golden Glove Award went to debutant Jamshedpur FC’s wall, Subrata Paul, for having made 44 saves, which included an envious seven clean sheets in 18 matches. If Jamshedpur FC possessed one of the most robust defensive unit in the league, a lot can be attributed to the 31-year-old custodian under the bar.