Record-breaking night for Chhetri as BFC blank Mohun Bagan

NT Bengaluru: On a rainy night, Gerard Zaragoza’s Bengaluru FC delivered an emphatic 3-0 victory against Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) in the Indian Super League (ISL) at Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday. BFC made two changes (Chhetri for Diaz and Jovanovic for Sana) and lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, featuring two forwards. Although Zaragoza asserted that it would be a midfield battle, BFC excelled on the flanks.

The Blues took the lead nine minutes into the game from a corner taken by Alberto Noguera. The ball found Nikhil Poojary, who headed it into Edgar Mendez’s path for a finish at the near post. Bengaluru upped their pace and ensured that the MBSG backline had no respite. The midfield orchestrated the game, while the wingers stretched the defense. With Vinith’s linebreaking pass, Mendez delivered a low cross to Chhetri, who parried it to Suresh Wangjam, who slotted it home with a late run into the box. In an electric atmosphere, Bengaluru continued to feed balls into the final third, while the Mariners struggled to find their rhythm despite repeated crosses into the penalty area.

Four minutes into the second half, BFC earned a penalty following a clumsy challenge by D. Biswas. Ever immaculate, Chhetri coolly deposited it into the bottom right corner, making him the all-time leading scorer with 64 goals. Bengaluru’s defensive spine was its strongest asset. Whether challenged by a cross or a run, Rahul Bheke and Aleksander Jovanovic ensured nothing went awry.For Jose Molina, it’s back to the drawing board.

Visibly upset with his substitutions, he had to take off playmaker Abdul Samad just ten minutes after he came on. BFC remains the only team that has not conceded a goal this season. They will play their first away game against champions Mumbai City FC on October 2.