ISL: Rahul Bheke\'s last-minute winner guides FC Bengaluru to maiden title
Mumbai: Close range misses, foul plays, spectacular saves and a last-minue winner in extra-time.
A Rahul Bheke winner just before the end of extra-time guided Bengaluru FC to their maiden Indian Super League (ISL) trophy as they beat a confident and attacking Goa side 1-0 in the final here on Sunday.
Despite the scoreline reading 0-0 after full-time, it was a deflected shot by Rahul Bheke that led the Bengaluru team to their maiden ISL triumph, with the score having read 1-0.
Not only did Chhetri and co clinch their msiden ISL trophy, but also they completed a triple against Goa in a single season, having beaten them in the league stage twice.
Despite a confident start, Sergio Lobera’s side suffered a huge blow just before the end of the first half, when their skipper Mandar Rao Dessai pulled up a hamstring injury. He continued playing though, only to be subbed off a minute later as Saviour Gama came on.
Matters turned from bad to worse for Goa as Ahmed jahouh was given a second yellow card for an attack against Bengaluru’s Miku during the extra time.
Despite Bengaluru looking at their best in the extra time, Goa goalkeeper Naveen Kumar was in full stretch as he displayed his acrobatic saves, which eventually went in vain.
After scoring a brace against Mumbai City FC here in the semifinal, Mourtada Fall once again contributed to the Goan side as he denied Miku from breaking the deadlock in the 93rd minute, thereby forcing into extra-time.
