The Bengaluru juggernaut continues as they log their 10th successive win in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23. In the whole of 2023, Simon Grayson’s men have been unbeatable and are now sheer favourites to lift the ISL 2022-23 trophy because of their red-hot form.
Sunil Chhetri scored his 4th goal in the tournament and 2nd successive goal as he steered his side to a 1-0 victory in the 1st leg of this semi-final game between Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC. This was a repeat of Durand Cup 2022’s final, where the Blues defeated the Islanders.
Just before the half-time, Mumbai City FC had a solid chance to score a goal. Greg Stewart made a clever pass to Jorge Pereyra Diaz but Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stopped the incoming threat.
There was nothing that could separate the two sides during the half-time as the score-line read 0-0.
Sunil Chhetri, who was brought in during the 2nd half from the bench, was at the forefront of orchestrating chances for the away side.
In the 78th minute, the talismanic skipper of the Indian football team converted a set-piece corner kick into a goal and made sure his side race away to a victory.
Ahead of the second leg, Bengaluru FC have a slight edge as they are 1-0 up. The second leg will be taking place on 12th March 2023 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
The Bengaluru FC fans are expected to come out in large numbers and extend their unflinching support to Simon Grayson’s men, who have notched up their 10th win on the bounce.
Des Buckingham’s men on the other hand have now slumped to their 3rd loss on the trot. They certainly need to go back to the drawing board and analyse as to where everything is going wrong for the ISL League Shield Winners of this season.
Squads
Mumbai City FC
Phurba Lachenpa, Mohammad Nawaz, Ravi Kumar, Vikram Lakhbir Singh, Rahul Bheke, Amey Ranawade, Mehtab Singh, Mohamad Rakip, Vignesh Dakshinamurthy, Mourtada Fall, Valpuia, Mandar Rao Desa, Gyamar Nikum, Cassio Gabriel, Bradden Inman, Ahmed Jahouh, Raynier Fernandes, Vinit Rai, Naorem Tndomba Singh, Chanso Horam, Asif Khan, Apuia Ralte, Gyamar Nikum, Vikram Partap Singh, Igor Angulo, Pranjal Bhumij, Bipin Singh, Greg Stewart, Lallianzuala Chhangte.
Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Lara Sharma, Amrit Gope, Alan Costa, Namgyal Bhutia, Parag Shrivas, Wungngayam Muirang, Prabir Das, Hira Mondal, Sandesh Jhingan, Aleksandar Jovanovic, Bruno Ramires, Jayesh Rane, Suresh Wangjam, Danish Farooq, Rohit Kumar, Biswa Darjee, Javi Hernandez, Sunil Chhetri, Prince Ibara, Udanta Singh, Sivasakthi Narayanan, Leon Augustine, Roy Krishna, Faisal Ali.
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