Bengaluru FC achieved a remarkable feat by qualifying for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 final, making it their fourth consecutive appearance in the championship match. They secured this spot after a 3-2 aggregate victory against FC Goa in the semi-finals. Although Bengaluru lost the second leg 2-1 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, their 2-0 win in the first leg was crucial for their overall progression, with Sunil Chhetri providing a critical goal during added time in the second half.
The match started with FC Goa attempting to assert themselves early, as Boris Singh took an ambitious long-range shot that soared over the goal in the seventh minute. In the subsequent play, Udanta Singh delivered a precise pass to Iker Guarrotxena, but the forward missed the target, shooting high and wide. Despite these early attempts not resulting in goals, they underscored Goa’s determination to score quickly.
In the 13th minute, Dejan Drazic got involved, connecting with a cross from Aakash Sangwan, but his shot lacked the necessary power to find the back of the net. The home side continued to press, with Ayush Dev Chhetri and Guarrotxena collaborating well, but their efforts were thwarted as the first half concluded without goals.
FC Goa’s persistence paid off early in the second half when Borja Herrera scored in the 49th minute, executing a flawless free-kick from the edge of the penalty area into the bottom left corner. This goal energized the team, pushing them to pursue a comeback in the semi-final, as they aimed to overturn the deficit.
Despite their efforts, the overall result allowed Bengaluru FC to advance to the final, emphasizing their status as a dominant force in the league. The combination of strategic gameplay and clutch performances solidified their bid for another ISL title.
The match, coached by Manolo Marquez, showcased several close opportunities for the team as the game progressed. In the 69th minute, Ayush Dev Chhetri mishit a shot at the high center of the goal from inside the box. This was soon followed by a cross from Udanta to Guarrotxena, whose header on target also failed to breach the defenses, as both attempts lacked the necessary finesse to surpass Bengaluru FC’s goalkeeper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
As the game approached its conclusion, the excitement intensified. In the 89th minute, Sangwan utilized his skills from the wings to deliver a cross that Armando Sadiku expertly nodded into the bottom right corner, leveling the scores. This goal invigorated Bengaluru FC, prompting them to surge forward and overwhelm the FC Goa defense. In the added time, Sandesh Jhingan and Brison Fernandes hurriedly conceded corners as the Blues pressed for a victory. One such corner taken by Namgyal Bhutia was swiftly met by Sunil Chhetri, who headed it forcefully into the high center of the goal, securing a place for Bengaluru FC in the final clash.
Sunil Chhetri emerged as the key performer in the match, having come off the bench in the 55th minute. He assumed a pivotal offensive role, successfully completing 10 of his 12 attempted passes while also contributing to the defensive effort with one tackle and scoring a crucial goal.
Looking ahead, Bengaluru FC is set to compete in the ISL 2024-25 final on April 12 against the winner of the semi-final matchup between Jamshedpur FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant. Meanwhile, FC Goa’s journey in the season concludes with this match, marking the end of their campaign.
