Indian Super League season 4: Winning start for debutants Bengaluru FC

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC huffed and puffed before finally finding the back of the net in their 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC, marking their Indian Super League debut on a sweet note at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Sunday.Despite this being the first competitive meeting between Albert Roca’s Blues and Alexandre Guimaraes’ Islanders, there was still a semblance of shared history between the two clubs. India national team captain Sunil Chhettri and Udanta Singh turned out against their former club, while goalkeeper Amrinder Singh stood in goal for the Islanders. With Guimares featuring a 4-2-3-1 to tackle Roca’s 4-3-3, the game promised to be an interesting tactical battle.

The hosts got off to a bright start and looked more likely the team to score all through the first half. Mumbai City were struggling to get a foothold in the match, regularly losing possession in the midfield and causing stoppages for fouls.  Right-back Gerson was cautioned with a yellow card for a grievous high boot on BFC’s Australian midfielder Erik Partaalu. Mumbai playmaker Leo Costa couldn’t carry on with his injury and was replaced early on by Cameroonian Achille Emana.

The Results

Chennaiyin FC     2
(Calderon 70, Augusto 84, penalty)
FC Goa     3
(Telechea 25, Bruno 29, Dessai 39)

Bengaluru FC     2
(Martin 67, Chhetri 90+3)
Mumbai City FC     0