A Sunil Chhetri masterclass earned the Blues 3 points. They returned to winning ways with this win. Saturday's match sees, Mumbai City FC
play host to ATK FC. Match starts at 1930 IST. Until then, cheers.
Awards!
Bengaluru FC collect the Club Award for winning the match this evening. Hugo Boumous is given the Limitless Player of the Match Award. Ashique Kuruniyan bags the Winning Pass of the Match Award. Nishu Kumar takes home the Emerging Player of the Match Award and Sunil Chhetri is the unanimous choice for the Hero of the Match Award.
Bengaluru FC win
The match ends 2-1 in favour of the Blues. After a lively but goalless first half, the second 45 lived up to its billing. Bengaluru FC drew first blood as Sunil Chhetri scored in the 59th minute with a powerful header from distance. Only two minutes after that, the Gaurs were level courtesy Hugo Boumous. With both sides matching each other blow for blow, Sunil Chhetri scored the perfect breakaway goal in the 84th minute. The visitors tried hard but they couldn't comeback from that. With time running out, Edu Bedia did have a couple of long range strikes but Bengaluru FC held on. The hosts take 2nd spot now. FC Goa stay on top but their lead at the summit is cut down to 2 points.
90'
Full time!
There goes the final whistle and the hosts win it 2-1.
90'
On target again!
Twice now, Edu Bedia shoots from distance and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is up to the task as he saves this. Brandon Fernandes' corner is cleared and it falls to Ahmed Jahouh. His long ranger is well over the bar. This could mean curtains for FC Goa.
90'
Added time!
The referee has added 4 minutes in this half. Can the Gaurs find the equalizer?
90'
On target!
Edu Bedia has the ball in the Bengaluru FC's half. He isn't closed down at all and he lets one fly. The shot seems to be dipping under the crossbar, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu backtracks and makes a flying save. Brandon Fernandes takes the subsequent corner which is safely cleared.
89'
Subs for FC Goa
Carlos Pena is replaced by Edu Bedia and Lenny Rodrigues swaps his place with Seiminlen Doungel.
88'
Substitution
Substitution - FC Goa (In: EDU BEDIA, Out: PENA)
85'
Substitution
Substitution - FC Goa (In: LEN DOUNGEL, Out: RODRIGUES)
84'
GOALLL!!!
Sunil Chhetri scores and Bengaluru FC take the lead. What a brilliant, brilliant goal from the Blues' skipper this one! Ashique Kuruniyan gets the ball from Dimas Delgado. He manages to touch it in the direction of his skipper, Chhetri. The skipper takes the ball forward and then hits the ball past diving Mohammad Nawaz to the bottom left corner with perfection. Supreme run and what an unbelievable finish!
84'
Goal
Goal - Bengaluru FC : CHHETRI
81'
Missed chance
Lenny Rodrigues gets the ball on the counter from Seriton Fernandes. His cross from close to the byline is blocked for a corner by Juanan. Brandon Fernandes takes the corner and Juanan clears it.
79'
Almost a blunder
Hugo Boumous from the left crosses the ball in the direction of Ferran Corominas. Although Ferran has a couple of opposition players to his left. Juanan looks to clear with a backheel but he misses it. It goes behind but Nishu Kumar comes in between to clear the ball away for a corner.
79'
Substitution for FC Goa
Manvir Singh comes on for Jackichand Singh.
79'
Substitution
Substitution - FC Goa (In: Manvir.S, Out: JACKI)
78'
Double change
Bengaluru FC make a double change - Suresh Wangjam is on for Harmanjot Khabra. Manuel Onwu the sub, who came on for the injured Udanta Singh, is replaced by Semboi Haokip.
78'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: SEMBOI, Out: M.ONWU)
78'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: SURESH, Out: KHABRA)
72'
Off target!
Ahmed Jahouh plays a world class crossfield ball from the left deep within his half. Jackichand Singh smoothly controls the ball and makes his way into the box. As he bares in on goal, he shoots. The shot crashes into the side-netting.
70'
Lenny Rodrigues makes a late challenge
Lenny Rodrigues slides into the ankle of Nishu Kumar. Bengaluru FC get a free kick at the halfway mark.
67'
Non-stop play
The game is going from one end to the other end in a flash. Mourtada Fall jumps high to head out a ball to concede a corner. Dimas Delgado takes it. The ball is cleared away by the defense.
61'
GGOOOOAAALLL
Hugo Boumous levels it for FC Goa. Ferran Corominas with the ball at the edge of the box is crowded by defenders. Coro sorts his feet out in time to find the run of Hugo Boumous in the box. He shoots it past Sandhu and into to back of the net. FC Goa have levelled it yet again.
61'
Goal
Goal - FC Goa : BOUMOUS
59'
GGGOOOAAALLL
Sunil Chhetri gives Bengaluru FC the lead. Dimas Delgado takes a deep corner. It's drilled towards the far post. Albert Serran leaps high to head it in but the ball evades him. Chhetri though comes charging in and unleashes a powerful header. The ball bounces just in front of Mohammad Nawaz. He looks to collect but fails to do so and the ball sneaks in. The home crowd has gone bonkers as the skipper has his 6th goal of the season.
59'
Goal
Goal - Bengaluru FC : CHHETRI
56'
Well defended!
Brandon Fernandes gets the ball on the left flank. His shot from the left of the box is blocked by Rahul Bheke. FC Goa get a corner. Brandon Fernandes takes the corner and Dimas Delgado clears it to safety.
54'
First yellow
Juanan completely wipes out Hugo Boumous. The referee shows the Spaniard a yellow card.
54'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : JUANAN
50'
On target!
Jackichand Singh gets the ball in at the edge of the box. His speculative strike is on target and the alert Gurpreet Singh Sandhu makes a low save.
48'
Free kick FC Goa!
FC Goa get a free kick thanks to Sunil Chhetri's foul. Ahmed Jahouh swings ball into the box from a set-piece. Gurpreet Singh Sandhu comes off his line and punches the ball for a corner. Nothing comes from the corner.
46'
Resumption
We are back for the second half. The hosts will get us underway. They pass the ball behind and we are up and running. They are attacking from right to left. Bengaluru FC bring in a change as Udanta Singh is off and Manuel Onwu comes on for him to begin this half.
46'
Substitution
Substitution - Bengaluru FC (In: M.ONWU, Out: UDANTA)
Lively half!
At the end of the first half, it remains scoreless. FC Goa started with pomp bullying possession but Bengaluru FC clawed their way back into the half. If the visitors had more chances, the hosts fashioned more meaningful chances. Mohammad Nawaz made two important saves and kept the Blues out. Let's see if we'll have a winner at the end of this tug-of-war, neither sides seem to give an inch.
45'
Half time
There goes the half time whistle. It is Bengaluru FC 0 - 0 FC Goa.
45'
Added time!
The referee has added 1 minute in this first half.
43'
Nothing from the free kick
Ahmed Jahouh finally takes the free kick, it's too long and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu takes a simple catch.
43'
Halt before the set-piece
Harmanjot Khabra elbows Brandon Fernandes just before one of the players take the free kick. It is on his chin. He is not happy with it and Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri comes down to calm things down.
41'
FC Goa get a free kick
Harmanjot Khabra slices down Hugo Boumous close to the halfway line. Free kick FC Goa.
40'
Another FC Goa chance
Jackichand Singh passes the ball to Lenny Rodrigues, who is in the box. He completes his turn but shoots the ball over the crossbar.
35'
Chances at both ends
Harmanjot Khabra passes the ball for Ashique Kuruniyan on the left. Seriton Fernandes comes in the way of that one and concedes a corner. Chhetri takes it short and the ball is passed to Nishu Kumar. He shoots on target from 30 yards and Mohammad Nawaz saves again. Moments later FC Goa have a chance of their own at the other end. Hugo Boumous' long ranger is saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
29'
Bright play
Hugo Boumous plays a crossfield pass from the left to Jackichand Singh on the right. Singh collects the ball in the box but his touch is a little heavy. As he ran after the ball, Dimas Delgado came across to keep him at bay. Jackichand Singh's shot is wide of the upright.
28'
Bengaluru FC goal kick
Brandon Fernandes tries to play the ball to the right flank but Jackichand Singh is not on the same page. The ball rolls out for a Bengaluru FC goal kick.
22'
Rahul Bheke stands tall
Hugo Boumous dribbles his way into the box and shoots. His strike is blocked by a defender. The ball breaks for Ferran Corominas and Rahul Bheke is quick to kick it out for a corner.
21'
Free kick FC Goa!
Dimas Delgado pulls down Brandon Fernandes in the middle of the park, FC Goa get a free kick. Ahmed Jahouh takes the set-piece. It isn't cleared convincingly.
16'
Change in play
Bengaluru FC are finding their footing in this tie. They weathered the initial barrage of FC Goa's chances and are fashioning chances of their own now.
12'
Yellow Card
Yellow Card - Bengaluru FC : PAARTALU
11'
Mohammad Nawaz makes a save!
Nishu Kumar plays a lofted ball down the line in the path of Rahul Bheke. He runs for the byline but then cuts back in at the edge of the box. Once he is in the penalty area, he shoots. Nawaz is called into action as he makes a flying save. From the subsequent corner, Rahul Bheke heads Mohammad Nawaz in the chest, in an attempt to head the ball. FC Goa get a free kick because of that.
8'
Bengaluru FC get a free kick
Ashique Kuruniyan is kicked in the thigh on the left flank in his own half. Seriton Fernandes is the perpetrator. Bengaluru FC get a free kick.
5'
Sate of play
It's FC Goa all the way, the visitors have kept hold of the ball. Ferran Corominas has the ball and a double team of Albert Serran and Juanan throw him to the floor. FC Goa get a free kick at the halfway line.
1'
Kick off!
FC Goa get us underway. Right from the off, the visitors have the ball in the Bengaluru FC box. Seriton Fernandes' cross is cleared by Albert Serran. Throw-in to FC Goa in the first minute.
Toss
Up goes the coin, FC Goa win the toss. Mandar Rao Dessai chooses to kick off the first half.
National anthem
The players from both teams are in the middle and as has been the tradition, first, it's time for the Indian national anthem.
FC Goa - Playing XI
Mohammad Nawaz (GK), Carlos Pena, Seriton Fernandes, Mourtada Fall, Mandar Rao Dessai (C), Lenny Rodrigues, Jackichand Singh, Brandon Fernandes, Ahmed Jahouh, Hugo Boumous, Ferran Corominas.
The first Indian Super League match of the year 2020 sees the league’s best defence, Bengaluru FC, play host to the league’s highest scorers, FC Goa. The Gaurs come into this game on the back of a four-game winning streak, scoring 10 and conceding just 4 goals over this period. They are also this edition’s highest goalscorers with 22 goals in 10 games. FC Goa have registered 9 different goalscorers, which explains their potency in front of goal. Ferran Corominas is the visitors’ leading goalscorer with 7 goals. The Gaurs are also one of the two sides that remain unbeaten on the road. Bengaluru FC come into this game on the back of their second defeat. Having picked up only 6 points from a possible 12, the hosts are in a bit of a rough patch. Captain Fantastic, Sunil Chhetri, has scored five of the eleven goals his side has scored so far. The Blues will need all their attacking resources to shine up front, against a goal-hungry opponent, whom they hope to keep at bay with their stern defence. Bengaluru FC have conceded just 6 goals so far this season, making them this edition’s meanest defence. The hosts hold the upper hand in head to head against the Gaurs, winning 4 out of 6 matches. Which team will start the New Year on a winning note? Join us at 1930 IST to find out.