Igor Stimac had recently said that he is not happy with more foreign players featuring in a match in the ISL and I-League, saying it was coming in the way of the country producing the next Sunil Chhetri.
Spain, which had reported 309 coronavirus-related deaths till Monday, saw the fatalities surge to 491 on Tuesday.
Fatorda police station in-charge Kapil Nayak said Bhushan Bagadia, an official photographer and social media handler of Chennaiyin FC team, was arrested on Saturday night after police found 24 gms of ganja in his bag during frisking at the VIP gate of the stadium.
The match played in front of a Fatorda Stadium that was closed to spectators due to the spread of coronavirus around the country
Owing to the current preventive measures advised by the Sports Ministry, league organisers Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) has decided to hold the season's final behind closed doors.
In the driver's seat after winning the first leg 1-0, Bengaluru FC struck in the fifth minute for a vital away goal advantage through Ashique Kuruniyan, his first of the season, from a counter attack.
FC Goa will be boosted by the return of Edu Bedia who missed the first leg game in Chennai -- which they lost 1-4 -- due to personal reasons.
Deshorn Brown's opportunistic strike (31') proved to be the difference in what was a closely-fought first leg battle.
The Blues entered the 2019-20 season after a nightmarish performance in the previous one, having finished with the wooden spoon and fewest points (nine).
Masih Saighani fired Chennaiyin into the lead (17th minute) before two goals in either half by Martin Chaves (43rd, 71st) seemed to have handed all three points for NorthEast United. But a late equaliser from Lallianzuala Chhangte (90+3rd) ensured the away side took a point.
Chennaiyin are currently fourth on the table with 28 points, two shy of third-placed Bengaluru FC. A draw or a defeat for Chennaiyin in the final game of the league phase of this ISL would mean that they would face toppers FC Goa in the play-offs.
Manuel Onwu scored a hat-trick for the hosts while Bartholomew Ogbeche netted twice to lead the Golden Boot standings with 15 to his name.
The summit clash will be held at 7:30 PM on March 14 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Fatorda in Margao.
Bengaluru FC ended their league stage campaign with 30 points and could possibly finish fourth, should Chenniayin FC win their final league game against NorthEast United.
Clear-cut chances were few and far between in what was an intense contest that saw Mumbai City reduced to 10-men in the second half.
Liston Colaclo and (12', 41'), Marcelinho (13', 88') scored braces while Mohammed Yasir (55') also grabbed a goal to earn Hyderabad's second win of the season. Andrew Keogh (35') pulled one back for the hosts.
Bartholomew Ogbeche (45th, 72nd minutes) scored a brace to take his tally to 13 goals this season, while Deshorn Brown (16th) was the lone scorer for Bengaluru FC.
Having already qualified, ATK have their eyes on the AFC Champions League spot while Chennaiyin's eyes will be trained on a berth in the play-offs.
Martin Chaves (24th minute) had handed the visitors the lead but Odisha turned it around in the second half, thanks to goals from Manuel Onwu (46th) and Martin Perez Guedes (72nd).
A recent change in coaching staff, with Clifford Miranda taking over as interim coach from Sergio Lobera, has made a positive impact on their on-field performance. FC Goa scored a convincing 4-1 win over Hyderabad FC in their last game.
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