edited by: Amrit Santalani
Last Update: February 16, 2023, 00:06 IST
Goals from Sunil Chhetri and Javi Hernandez give Bengaluru a 2-1 win over Mumbai City (Bengaluru FC Twitter)
Sunil Chhetri and Javi Hernandez strike as Bengaluru FC beat Mumbai City 2-1 in ISL 2022-23
Bengaluru FC beat Mumbai City FC 2-1 to move up to the fourth spot and remain in contention for a playoff spot in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Wednesday.
Charismatic strikers Sunil Chhetri (57th) and Xavi Hernandez (70th) scored for Bengaluru, while Murtada Fall scored for Mumbai City, who have already won the ISL League Shield as the number one team.
With the win, Bengaluru ended Mumbai City’s hopes of finishing the season as ISL’s first ‘invincibles’ as the islanders slumped to their first defeat of the ongoing campaign.
Incidentally, Bengaluru were the last team to beat Des Buckingham’s side in the final of the Durand Cup 2022.
The Mumbai-based club were yet to lose but after a sluggish first half, they slowly edged into the game. Sunil had a few good chances in the first half but Phurba Lachampa kept the Indian record-goalscorer at bay.
Bipin Singh had a great chance after being sent through on goal by Ahmed Jauh but failed to beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, while Bruno Ramires missed a great chance to take the lead but failed to find the target are.
In the second half, Chhetri finally broke the deadlock and headed in from close range after Xavi’s corner.
Minutes later, the Spaniard got his name on the scoresheet as he was found expertly by Aleksandar Jovanovic, who outran some Mumbai City defenders and linked up with his teammate with a cut-back.
As Bengaluru appeared on the cruise, a corner of the visitors resulted in the return of the city of Mumbai.
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Rostin Griffiths grabbed the ball and headed it back into a dangerous area, where visiting captain Mortada tapped in from close range to seal a tense finish.
Both sides had a few chances as the visitors tried to build pressure late in the game but to no avail as Bengaluru held their own for the win.
Bengaluru now have 31 points from 19 matches while Mumbai City have 46 points from the same number of matches.
(With inputs from PTI)
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