Sunil Chhetri’s record-equalling goal helps Bengaluru rescue a point against Goa
Bengaluru and Goa played out a 1-1 stalemate in ‘Match 69’ of the 2021-22 Indian Super League. Dylan Fox opened the scoring for the Gaurs before Sunil Chhetri restored parity for the Blues in the second half.
Bengaluru head coach Marco Pezzaiouli surprisingly made three changes to the team that won 3-0 against Mumbai City. Alan Costa, Suresh Singh, and Udanta Singh made way for Wungngayam Muirang, Iman Basafa, and Chhetri respectively.
On the other hand, Derrick Pereira made four changes to the Goa starting XI after a 2-1 defeat against East Bengal. Fox, Seriton Fernandes, Saviour Gama, and Devendra Murgoakar were handed starts with Leander D’Cunha, Alexander Romario Jesuraj, Makan Chothe, and Airam Cabrera missing out.
The initial exchanges of the game were predominantly midfield-oriented with the only chance falling to Cleiton Silva in the 5th minute but his effort was saved by Dheeraj Singh in the Gaurs’ goal. The Blues came close to scoring again in the 16th minute when Roshan Naorem went for glory from a free-kick but his shot could only find the side-netting.
Five minutes later, another free-kick from the left flank by Roshan sparked chaos in the Goa penalty box. While his initial effort was headed by a player in white, the rebound fell to Iranian midfielder Basafa whose acrobatic volley sailed over the crossbar.
Goa’s first clear-cut opening came in the 36th minute when Jorge Ortiz found Edu Bedia unmarked inside the box with a curling cross from the right flank, but the former Barcelona B player could not keep his header on target.
However, Pereira’s team did not have to rue the missed opportunity for long as the deadlock was broken in the 41st minute. Ortiz came up with another sublime cross from the right which found Fox completely free at the far post, and unlike Bedia, the Australian did well to find the back of the net with his header.
The Blues dominated proceedings in the second half, albeit without creating major opportunities. Their first big chance came in the 57th minute when Silva showed his acrobatic side with a well-executed side volley, but the Brazilian failed to keep his effort on target.
Sunil Chhetri scored his 48th ISL goal
The seemingly elusive equalizer eventually came four minutes later, courtesy of none other than Bengaluru’s effervescent captain, Chhetri, who proved why he still has a lot to offer to the Blues. Congolese striker Ibara did well to outmuscle Gama at the right flank and then delivered a delectable cross for the Indian legend whose header restored parity in the game. With this goal, the 37-year-old joined Ferran Corominas at the top of ISL’s leading goal-scorers list.
Pezzaiouli’s team almost took the lead in the 69th minute when Roshan came up with yet another incredible long-range effort from the left flank, but an equally fantastic save from Dheeraj kept the scoreline at 1-1.
Four minutes later, it was the turn of Dheeraj’s Bengaluru counterpart, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, to justify his reputation. Alberto Noguera came up with a left-footed effort from the edge of the box, but Gurpreet was alert to maintain equilibrium in the match.
The last big chance of the game came to Bengaluru in additional time. Substitute Rohit Kumar made a darting run down the left flank before laying off a backheel towards Silva’s path who showed his presence of mind to set up a pass for Chhetri. The captain’s left-footed effort had a lot of power but not the perfect precision as it bounced back after striking the crossbar.
This draw has not helped either side as both Bengaluru and Goa remain placed at the positions they were occupying before the match – eighth and ninth respectively. The Blues will now take on Chennaiyin on Wednesday whereas the Gaurs’ next assignment is against Jamshedpur on Friday.