Bengaluru edges Goa

Defending champion Bengaluru FC ended FC Goa’s five-match unbeaten run with a 2-1 Indian Super League 2019-20 success at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium hereon Friday.

BFC captain Sunil Chhetri netted a second half brace, while Hugo Boumous was the lone scorer for the losing team. Despite the defeat, Sergio Lobera-managed Goa sits top of the table with 21 points after 11 games while Bengaluru (19 points from 11 matches), coached by Carles Cuadrat, moves into the second spot.

BFC came close to breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute. Full-back Rahul Bheke received a long diagonal ball on the right flank, cut inside and unleashed a wicked left-footed strike. But Goa custodian Mohammad Nawaz was alert to the danger, tipping the shot over the bar.

After a quiet opening quarter of the game, both goalkeepers were called into action around the half-hour mark. In the 34th minute, Bengaluru left-back Nishu Kumar drilled a piledriver following a corner from well outside the 18-yard-box. Teenager Nawaz didn’t quite read the long-range effort but did just enough to keep the scoreline at 0-0.

Next, it was the away side’s turn to test Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. Goa’s Boumous, who bossed the midfield in the first half, made a solo run and took a shot in the 35th minute only for national team shotstopper Gurpreet to come up with a routine save. But that wasn’t the case on the stroke of half-time.

The Bengaluru goalkeeper came off his line to prevent an effort from Lenny Rodrigues, who was slippedthrough on goal by a beautiful Brandon Fernandes pass.

Despite a few clear-cut chances, both sides failed to disturb the board in the opening period. After persistent pressure at the start of the final half, the host took the lead in the 59th minute.

Skipper Chhetri, who arrived late into the box, expertly headed in a corner from Dimas Delgado for his sixth goal of the season. Rival custodian Nawaz got a hand on the ball but couldn’t prevent it from rippling the net. However, Goa wasn’t behind for long as it hit back immediately through Boumous.

Mandar Rao Dessai found Ferran Corominas close to the box and the latter assisted the Frenchman, who slotted the ball into the far corner. Courtesy his strike, the visitor drew parity in the 61st minute. But, Bengaluru restored its advantage seven minutes from time, thanks to another goal from Chhetri.

A stunning counter-attack saw Aashique Kuruniyan feed the Indian striker, who got past a number of Goan defenders and found the bottom left corner.