Bengaluru FC have been crowned ISL champions after a dramatic extra time win over FC Goa in the summit clash at Mumbai Football Arena on Sunday, 17 March.
Nothing separated the two teams after 90 minutes, but Ahmed Jahouh’s sending off left Goa with 10 men for the second period of extra time – and Bengaluru, defeated finalists last season, made them pay at the last hour when Rahul Bheke rose highest from a corner to settle the tie with a little over three minutes left on the clock.
The 1-0 victory makes Bengaluru FC the third title winners in the Indian Super League’s nascent history; ATK and Chennaiyin FC had shared the four previous titles from 2014 to 2018.
BFC Briedmaids No More
Having encountered heart-break a year ago – in what was their maiden season playing in the ISL – Bengaluru looked like they were going to be pushed into a nervy penalty shootout at the second time of asking.
But defender Bheke looped a header on a 117th-minute corner from Dimas Delgado and beyond Goa custodian Naveen Kumar, sparking wild celebrations in the Bengaluru camp.
Earlier, both the teams began with caution. Goa earned a corner early in the game but Edu Bedia’s header went wide at a nearly packed Mumbai Football Arena.
Bengaluru had a chance when mid-fielder Nishu Kumar sent Sunil Chhetri through with a lobbed pass. The skipper passed it to Miku, who cut past three players and shot, but Goa custodian Naveen collected it safely.
In the 24th minute, Bengaluru had another chance. Xisco played Chhetri down the flank and the captain sent a cross in the box to Miku but his header sailed above the bar.
Two minutes later, Miku had another close chance, but Goa's defense did well to clear it.
Bengaluru strikers kept Goa's defense and Naveen Kumar on their toes, but still both the sides were searching for their first goal after 35 minutes.
Goa received a setback when their skipper and mid-fielder Mandar Rao Dessai had to be stretchered out as he pulled his hamstring just before the conclusion of the first half.
Goa did have a few chances in the first half, but they failed to convert any.
After the change of ends, Goa upped the ante and their best chance came in the 58th minute when Brandon Fernandes swung a cross for Bedia, but the Spanish mid-fielder couldn't get a touch on to it.
In the 67th minute, aggressive mid-fielder Jackichand Singh played the ball to Ahmed Jahouh outside the box, and the Moroccon tried to slot one in the top corner but ended up side footing to the keeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
In the additional time of the second half, Bengaluru had another close chance. Nishu Kumar crossed the ball into the box and Miku zoomed past the defenders. He took a touch and shot but Mourtada Fall got into the way as Bengaluru earned a corner. After 90 minutes, the two sides were still locked 0-0.
In the first half of extra time, Bengaluru survived a near scare when Luisma headed the ball back to Gurpreet but the experienced keeper collected safely.
(With inputs from PTI)
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