Chennai City FC made history on 9 March 2019 by winning their first I-League title, defeating Minerva Punjab 3-1 in the final match of the season. This victory was a monumental achievement for the club, as they became the 2018-19 I-League champions and cemented their place in the history of Indian football.
Chennai City FC 3-1 Minerva Punjab
The match was a thrilling encounter where Chennai City FC put in a stellar performance to secure their maiden league title.
Pedro Manzi was the hero of the day, scoring a brace (two goals) in the match. His contributions were crucial in the final, and his performance on the day was one of the key reasons for Chennai City FC’s success.
The win marked the club’s first-ever I-League title, a significant achievement in their relatively short time in the league. Chennai City FC had joined the I-League in 2016, and they achieved the ultimate success just three years later.
Pedro Manzi, the Spanish-Uruguayan forward, was the standout player of the match and the season. With a brace in the final, he finished as the joint top scorer of the 2018-19 I-League season, scoring a total of 21 goals. This made him one of the league’s most lethal strikers.
Manzi’s performances throughout the season were exceptional, and he was integral to Chennai City FC’s attacking success. His clinical finishing, positioning, and ability to step up in key moments were on full display during the title-winning campaign.
2018-19 was a breakthrough season for Chennai City FC, a club that had only been in the I-League for a few years since their promotion in 2016. The victory over Minerva Punjab not only secured the I-League title but also earned them a spot in the prestigious AFC Champions League qualifiers for the 2020 season.
The title win was a result of an impressive overall team performance throughout the season, where they showed resilience and attacking flair under coach V. Soundararajan. The team’s tactical discipline and strong performances in critical games were crucial in securing the title.
The 2018-19 I-League was competitive, with Chennai City FC finishing the season with 39 points, just ahead of Minerva Punjab, who finished as runners-up. Chennai City secured the title by holding their nerve in the final stages of the season and ensuring they earned the maximum points in their remaining matches.
In addition to Manzi’s goals, the club benefited from solid performances across the squad, with standout contributions from players like Nestor Gordillo and Sandesh Jhingan. The combination of defensive solidity and attacking prowess proved to be the winning formula.
The 2018-19 I-League title was historic not only because of Chennai City FC’s rapid rise but also because it showcased the competitiveness of the league. With Minerva Punjab having been a previous champion (in 2017), the final title race was highly exciting and intense.
Pedro Manzi, as the league’s joint top scorer, went down in history as one of the key players to lead his club to the title. His brace in the final was a perfect culmination of a remarkable season for both him and the club.
In conclusion, Chennai City FC’s victory in the 2018-19 I-League was a historic moment for the club, and it marked their entry into the elite ranks of Indian football. The club’s growth since joining the league in 2016 and their triumph underlined the progress of Indian football as a whole.
