I-League 2015-16: Chhetri’s stunning free-kick wins the day for Bengaluru FC
A curling free-kick from Sunil Chhetri was the difference between the two teams in the end as Bengaluru FC started their 2015-16 I-League season with a 2-1 victory against Salgaocar FC at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Saturday.
Ashley Westwood handed debut to 18-year old midfielder Malsawmzuala as Bengaluru FC lined up in a 4-4-2 formation with Kim Seng-yong and Sunil Chhetri leading the line. On the other hand, Salgaocar started with Darryl Duffy, who has been suffering from injury, after the other two foreigners - Cameroon striker Calvin Mbarga and Scottish midfielder Martin Scott – were ruled out.
Bengaluru started the match on the front foot throwing attack after attack at the Salgaocar goal. The pressure found its way into a goal in the fifth minute with CK Vineeth tapping the ball from past Karanjit Singh. It was North Korean striker Kim Seng-yong who laid the foundation for the goal with an inch-perfect cross from the right flank.
The Federation Cup champions pushed forward in search of more goals and almost found it in the 17th minute after Vineeth played in Kim into the box. A crucial save from Karanjit Singh saved the Goan club from going two down within the first twenty minutes.
Salgaocar were nowhere to be seen in the match with Eugenson Lyngdoh and debutant Malsawmzuala controlling the ball in the middle of the park. Bengaluru kept on creating chance after chance with only Karanajit Singh standing between them and another goal. As the match progressed, Salgaocar slowly came into the match with Jackichand Singh providing pacy runs down the left.
The quick foot work from Jackichand caused the Bengaluru defence a lot of problems in the final third, and the winger won a penalty in the 40th minute after being brought down by Eugenson in the box. Daryl Duffy stepped up and coolly slotted it past Ralte to level things up. The final minutes before the half time belonged to the Goan club as they pushed forward in search of another goal.
Both sides took a cautious approach in the second half after playing an attacking first forty-five minutes. Jakichand came close to taking Salgaocar into the lead in the 59the minute, only to see the shot going wide of the goal. But, it was Bengaluru, who went ahead in the match after a delightful free-kick from Sunil Chhetri curled past Karanjit into the goal. With Manandeep and Duffy leading the line, Salgaocar pushed forward in search of the eqauliser, and it opened up space for Chhetri and Kim to attack the Goan defence.
Bengaluru FC almost increased their lead in the 80th minute with Thoi Singh’s shot forcing a save from Karanjit Singh. Manandeep Singh came close to equalising in the dying minutes, only to see his tame shot go straight at Ralte. Bengaluru held their defence tight in the last minutes to see off the Goan side's attack and to start their season with a victory.