Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC marched into the semi-finals of Indian Super League (ISL) with a 1-0 victory over Kerala Blasters FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru. However, Kerala Blasters forfeit the match in the first half of extra time. Indian talisman Sunil Chhetri scored the only goal of the match in the seventh minute of extra time which adds a ninth consecutive win for The Blues.
A cheeky free-kick by @chetrisunil11 earned him the Hero of the Match for #BFCKBFC! 👊🔵#HeroISL #HeroISLPlayoffs #LetsFootball #BengaluruFC #SunilChhetri pic.twitter.com/G5VprhaWww
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 3, 2023
While Kerala Blasters’ coach Ivan Vukomanovic called his team off the pitch, Sunil Chhetri declares he had the permission from the referee. With the loss, Kerala Blasters exists from the knockout game. Controversy arose as the Manjapaddas claim to not have heard any whistle, but Luna of Kerala Blasters was seen taking the guard of the kick.
Kerala Blasters had the control in the first-half of the game but could merely beat goalie Gurpreet Singh Sadhu. Roy Krishna and Sivasakthi Narayan got some counter for Bengaluru FC. Bengaluru FC put up six shots during the first-half, half of them Roy Krishna but only one managed to be on target.
It’s called a quick free-kick, lads. 🤙🏻
Safe trip back, then. #WeAreBFC #NothingLikeIt #BFCKBFC https://t.co/FWSs5S8FsE— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) March 3, 2023
In the 24th minute, a tight angle shot by the Fijian was the only shot on goal of the half. Hernandez nearly had it parried directly into his path by Gill, but it was cleared away for a corner, from which Krishna couldn’t keep his header on goal. Victor Mongil, who wasn’t marked, missed Danish Farooq’s looping header from a corner three minutes after the half-hour mark, and the offside flag was raised against the defender.
Much remained the same in the second half, with the hosts delaying their counterattack while the visitors held more of the ball. In the 53rd minute, the Blasters had a chance to challenge the goalkeeper with a free kick, but Adrian Luna missed it.
"I got the free-kick and I saw the opening"@bengalurufc's match-winner @chetrisunil11 on his side's victory in #Bengaluru#BFCKBFC #HeroISL #HeroISLPlayoffs #LetsFootball #BengaluruFC #KeralaBlasters pic.twitter.com/HkKkLCBMqE
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 3, 2023
Around the hour mark, Gill stretched out and forced a palm behind for a corner on a shot from outside the box by Suresh Wangjam. The Blasters increased their pressure on the ball in the last period of play, but Bengaluru FC’s defence maintained its shape to fend off attempts.
In the 83rd minute, Dimitrios Diamantakos registered his side’s first shot on target but his header was claimed comfortably by Sandhu before the game went into extra time.
In the first minute of extra time, Rahul KP tried a long ranger from a flick of Luna but it went wide apart the post. Bengaluru FC made an immediate response as Bruno Ramires got his head to a corner but sent it over the bar.
.@bengalurufc qualify for the semi-finals after #KeralaBlasters forfeit the match! 🔵#BFCKBFC #HeroISL #HeroISLPlayoffs #LetsFootball #BengaluruFC pic.twitter.com/GlzealhnMt
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 3, 2023
In the seventh minute of extra time, a sharp free kick by Sunil Chhetri flew into the back of the net. The Blasters forfeited the match in disagreement with the decision and a win was awarded to Bengaluru FC.
