Chhetri goal downs Goa 2-1

Margao:bengaluru FC accounted for FC Goa 2-1 in a fiery Indian Super League encounter at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday.

Rahul Bheke opened the scoring with an improvised backheel flick in the 34th minute. Both teams were reduced to 10 men after the restart as Mohammad Ali and Dimas Delgado were sent off. Brandon Fernandes equalised for the hosts in the 72nd minute but Sunil Chhetri notched the winner for Bengaluru five minutes later.

The win takes Bengaluru — only unbeaten side in the ISL — level on points with FC Goa at the top of the table with two games in hand over the Gaurs.

The visitors took the lead in the 34th minute when Delgado’s corner-kick fell to Xisco Hernandez at the edge of the box. The Spaniard’s weak shot was gorgeously flicked into the net by Bheke at the far post.

The defender almost doubled his side’s lead at the stroke of halftime after Mourtada Fall’s poor first touch gifted him the ball inside the box. Bheke’s effort, however, skimmed off the crossbar. The hosts were reduced to 10 men two minutes into the secondhalf when Ali picked up a second yellow card. The full-back pushed the ball away with his hand to prevent Xisco from getting to it on the right flank and received a second yellow card.

Bengaluru were also dealt a blow at the hour mark when Delgado was shown a straight red card for a high-footed tackle on

Hugo Boumous.

Goa got their equaliser in the 72nd minute when Ferran Corominas fought his way into the box through a crowd of defenders and found Brandon in the centre.

The Indian midfielder slotted the ball into the net, helped by a deflection. Bengaluru restored their lead five minutes later. Thongkhosiem Haokip played Udanta Singh into space on the right flank and the Indian winger delivered a terrific cross to the far post where Chhetri lost his marker and headed home to secure all three points for his side.