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ISL 2018: 5 Reasons Why Bengaluru FC Have Been the Team to Beat

Bengaluru FC will face Chennaiyin FC in the finals of the Indian Super League 2017-18 on Saturday.

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Football
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This might be Bengaluru’s first season in the Indian Super League (ISL), but in no way were they perceived as newcomers by the ISL teams.

In fact, since their debut four years ago in the top tier of Indian football, Bengaluru FC have been the most dominating and consistent team. Two I-League trophies, two Federation Cup trophies, and runners-up at the AFC Cup in just four years is no small feat.

Now just one step away from winning the ISL title on their debut, Bengaluru FC will surely love to fill their cabinet with the only trophy that they are yet to lay their hands on.

As expected from them, the team’s current season has been superlative, like their previous ones, and in no way we can shrug off their performance by saying: It’s ‘beginner’s luck’. In fact, they started the league as one of the favourites.

Thirty-five goals and finishing top of the league with 13 wins just cemented their title as the league favourites. Moreover, they qualified for the play-offs with four games to spare and were eight points clear of second-placed Chennaiyin FC, the other finalist.

An experienced squad with key players in key position just aggravated the cause of the Bengaluru outfit.

Here’s a look at the five main reasons which have led to the team’s total dominance in the final.

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1. Offence is the Best Defence

Bengaluru FC will face Chennaiyin FC in the finals of the Indian Super League 2017-18 on Saturday.
Bengaluru FC have scored 17 goals in their last eight league matches. 
(Photo: ISL)

Prior to the semi-finals, Bengaluru FC have scored 35 goals in their 18 matches. Only FC Goa had scored more goals during the league stage. They have failed to score only in three matches, which includes the first leg of the semi-final against Pune City FC. Bengaluru FC have scored 17 goals in their last eight league matches, and have managed to hit the back of the net in all of them. Most of their goals have come in the second-half this season. They have scored 26 out of their 38 goals this season in the second-half, most by a team this season.

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2. Unbeaten in 10 Matches

Bengaluru FC will face Chennaiyin FC in the finals of the Indian Super League 2017-18 on Saturday.
Bengaluru FC’s 10-match unbeaten run is the longest by a team in ISL history.
(Photo: ISL)

Bengaluru FC came into the semi-final on an eight-match unbeaten streak, out of which they have won seven matches, which they extended to 10 matches after drawing the first-leg and winning at home against FC Pune City in the semi-finals. Their 10-match unbeaten run is the longest by a team in ISL history. In their unbeaten run, they have scored 20 goals and conceded only five, maintaining a clean sheet in five games. Bengaluru FC last lost a match more than two months ago, when Delhi Dynamos beat then 2-0 at home in January.

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3. Matchless Away Record

Bengaluru FC will face Chennaiyin FC in the finals of the Indian Super League 2017-18 on Saturday.
Bengaluru FC were on a 4-match winning streak in away matches.
(Photo: ISL)

Bengaluru FC have been the best team away from home, winning seven out of their 10 away fixtures this season, most by a team in ISL this season. They have scored a definitive result in all their away matches, winning seven and losing two. Their 20 goals in away matches are the joint most by a team this season along with FC Goa. At the end of the league, Bengaluru FC were on a four-match winning streak in away matches, having scored 10 goals and keeping two clean sheets. Even in the away leg of the semi-final, Bengaluru were able to hold FC Pune City for a 0-0 draw.

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4. Lethal Duo of Chhetri & Miku

Bengaluru FC will face Chennaiyin FC in the finals of the Indian Super League 2017-18 on Saturday.
Miku and Chhetri have scored for their team in 16 out of the 20 matches this season.
(Photo: The Quint)

Miku and Chhetri have done well for Bengaluru FC in their first season in the ISL. The duo have been involved in 29 out of the 38 goals scored by the team this season till now, which include 27 goals and two assists. Miku and Chhetri have scored for their team in 16 out of the 20 matches this season in the ISL. Out of those 16 matches, Bengaluru FC have lost in only two matches. With 14 and 13 goals each, Miku and Chhetri are number two and five on the goal scorer list in ISL this season. The duo has scored in the same match five times.

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5. The Safe Hands of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu

Bengaluru FC will face Chennaiyin FC in the finals of the Indian Super League 2017-18 on Saturday.
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu has made 44 saves in the competition so far.
(Photo: ISL)

Not only the attack, Bengaluru FC’s defence was also one of the toughest to beat in this season of ISL. The team from Bengaluru have conceded only 17 goals till now, the least by any team in the competition. Along with the other finalist, Chennaiyin FC, Bengaluru FC also have managed to keep eight clean sheets. The impressive performance of Bengaluru FC’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is one of the reasons for the team’s strong defensive record. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu didn’t start the campaign well, he was sent off in his third match, making just two saves in his first three matches. But since his return from suspension, he has been superb. Overall, he has made 44 saves in the competition so far and has conceded goals every 111.86 minutes, which is so far the best in the tournament.

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