Bengaluru FC: Indian Super League (ISL)
By K.S Shikhar
MUMBAI- Bengaluru FC (BFC) won the Indian Super League (ISL) title against 10-man FC Goa by a late goal scored by Rahul Bheke on Sunday. As a corner was played in deep by Dimas Delgado in the 116th minute, rahul positioned himself perfectly to head the ball into the top left corner beyond the goalkeeper's reach. It kissed the edge of the post and went in.
Goa were close to half time whistle, when left-back Mandar Rao Desai pulled a hamstring, and had to be replaced by Saviour Gama. They began the second half with greater purpose, Jackichand tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with a shot after a quick one-two with Coro. Soon after, Bedia's header from Brandon's floating cross went straight to Sandhu.BFC introduced Luisma in place of Alex Barrera, in the 81st minute, with Udanta Singh whipping a cross in from the right that Chhetri chested down, and Xisco found enough space to squeeze a touch in. Miku wasn’t able to finish the ball delicately resulting in a poor far post miss. Off the corner, Goa looked to break through Seriton Fernandes, and his cross was cleared inside the box by Dimas as the referee sent the match into extra time.
Bheke Sealed the Deal for Bangluru FC
Bengaluru, who were runners-up in their ISL season last year, have thus become the first team to have won the ISL after having topped the I-League season. This was Goa's second loss in an ISL final as well -- they lost to Chennaiyin in 2015
Both teams began calmly, with Goa looking to exploit their right wing, sending long balls over to Jackichand Singh to get in behind Nishu Kumar. But, Goa were unable to get enough support inside the BFC box to convert his crosses into scoring chances. BFC had the first meaningful chance on 22 minutes, when Sunil Chhetri whipped a low cross in from the left, but Miku failed to keep his header on target. Five minutes on, Jackichand moved beyond the reach of Nishu on BFC's left, meeting an Edu Bedia through ball with a first-time cross that BFC initially blocked. The rebound eventually fell to Brandon Fernandes, who shot it wide.
Goa were close to half time whistle, when left-back Mandar Rao Desai pulled a hamstring, and had to be replaced by Saviour Gama. They began the second half with greater purpose, Jackichand tested Gurpreet Singh Sandhu with a shot after a quick one-two with Coro. Soon after, Bedia's header from Brandon's floating cross went straight to Sandhu.BFC introduced Luisma in place of Alex Barrera, in the 81st minute, with Udanta Singh whipping a cross in from the right that Chhetri chested down, and Xisco found enough space to squeeze a touch in. Miku wasn’t able to finish the ball delicately resulting in a poor far post miss. Off the corner, Goa looked to break through Seriton Fernandes, and his cross was cleared inside the box by Dimas as the referee sent the match into extra time.
No shots on target until just before the half of extra time BFC got their first shot on target but Xisco's left-footer from well outside the Goa box was palmed away by Naveen. Just before the whistle, at 105+2mins Goa were reduced to 10 men when Jahouh was booked a yellow for a second time in the game as well as a red card to show him his way off the pitch, for his rough tackle on Miku. After many shots by both the teams,at the 117th minute ,the centre-back –Rahul bheke turned a magnificent corner by Dimas into a jaw dropping headed goal and became the hero of match as the final whistle blew.
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