Bengaluru: A magical mastero goal from Javi Hernandez helped Bengaluru FC clinch a comeback win over East Bengal FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday. Inthe 1st half,Naorem Mahesh Singh’s strike (15’) gave the visitors an early lead before Sunil Chhetri (21’) scored from the spot to bring things level, setting it up well for Hernandez’s acrobatic overhead goal (72’) that sealed the Blues’ first three points of the campaign.
The Blues had an early opportunity denied by East Bengal’s defense when Rohit Kumar’s attempt from inside the box was blocked off. East Bengal were the first to put the ball in the back of the net, with winger Mahesh riding two challenges before slotting past Gurpreet for the lead quarter of an hour into the game in the 15th minute.
The advantage lasted less than five minutes when Chhetri combined in a slick give-and-go with Javi Hernandez, forcing Mandar Rao Desai into a tackle that saw Chhetri brought down, prompting referee Senthil Nathan to point to the spot. The skipper made no mistake, slotting past Prabhsukhan Singh Gill to restore parity.
Bengaluru had further chances to find the back of the net through Chhetri, who rose highest to nod a header goalward, while Curtis Main saw an effort go inches wide of the mark. Both sides vied for possession in midfield for large parts of the second period, with neither able to take charge of the game.
Ten minutes into the second half, Nandhakumar missed a sitter from six yards out after Mahesh put him through a brilliant pass down the right flank. The winger, rushing his way into the box unmarked, shanked his effort over the frame of goal. Moments later, Harmanjot Khabra came close with a header in the box, but once again failing to trouble Gurpreet in the Bengaluru goal.
Bengaluru found the winner in the 72nd minute when Javi, took a touch to lift the ball and finished with an acrobatic effort that saw Gill’s dive go in vain, increasing the goal to 2-1 lead. The hosts didn’t concede any further goal and thereby won the match.
The Blues’ next fixture is against FC Goa to the Kanteerava Stadium, on October 25th.
