Bengaluru begin with 1-0 win over title holders Chennaiyin
BENGALURU: Bengaluru FC made a perfect start to their Indian Super League campaign, defeating defending champions Chennaiyin FC 1-0 at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Sunday.
In what was a repeat of last season’s final at the same venue, Miku’s 41st minute strike was enough for the Blues to overcome the visitors’ challenge.
Bengaluru were quicker off the blocks with Eric Paartalu getting an excellent chance as early as the third minute. His snap shot, however, was aimed straight at goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.
Bengaluru got chances but failed to make it count while Chennaiyin continued to look dangerous on the break.
Goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu then pulled off a fine save from a long-distance effort by Germanpreet Singh before Bengaluru took the lead against the run of play.
Xisco Hernandez won the ball following a midfield scrap and quickly released Miku behind the Chennaiyin defence with a perfectly weighted pass.
The Venezuelan striker unleashed a thunderbolt of a shot which, despite being aimed at Karanjit’s near post, left the Chennaiyin goalkeeper with no chance. The two-time I-league champions held on for a 1-0 win. GUWAHATI: Having failed to make much of an impression in previous four attempts, Northeast United FC will enter the Indian Super League with renewed hopes as they take on FC Goa in Guwahati on Monday.
It will not be easy for NorthEast United. FC Goa have a measure of continuity about them as head coach Sergio Lobera takes charge of the team for a second successive season, while the hosts will be playing under Eelco Schattorie. The Dutch coach had joined as an assistant coach last season after the departure of Joao de Deus.
“Having the team we had last season, we broke so many scoring records. We have a team which is built to be offensive. I always prefer to win a match 5-2 than 1-0,” said Goa coach Lobera.