Sunil Chhetri becomes leading ISL goal-scorer as three-star Bengaluru FC soar past Mohun Bagan Super Giant

by Chittu Shetty September 28, 2024

Bengaluru FC maintained their perfect start with a 3-0 drubbing against Mohun Bagan Super Giant on matchday three of the Indian Super League 2024-25 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium tonight.

Goals from Edgar Mendez, Suresh Singh and Sunil Chhetri were enough to earn maximum points against the Mariners.

Bengaluru FC wasted no time in stepping their foot on the gas. The likes of Mendez, Chhetri and Venkatesh kept the Mohun Bagan Super Giant defenders on their toes from the first minute. The Blues had the first opportunity of the game when Vinith’s delivery from a freekick found Rahul Bheke in the box in the fifth minute. However, the experienced defender failed to test Vishal Kaith with his header.

The Blues were rewarded for their high-intensity football as Mendez scored the opener in the ninth minute. It was a well-worked corner from the hosts which reached Nikhil Poojary in the box. Poojary guided his header towards Mendez’s path and the Spaniard turned it past Kaith to hand Bengaluru FC the lead.

Bengaluru FC maintained their control and rightfully doubled the lead in the 20th minute courtesy of a goal from Suresh Singh. It was Mendez who made a darting run down the right flank and found Chhetri in the box with a well-weighted cross. The 40-year-old smartly flicked it into Suresh’s path, who slammed it home, doubling the lead for the hosts.

Moments later, the Mariners’ defence switched off again as Chhetri stole the ball from Apuia in midfield. However, his long-range effort was kept out by Kaith.

Bengaluru FC continued their rampant form in the second half. The Blues eventually added the third goal when Dippendu Biswas brought down Mendez in the penalty area, awarding the hosts a spot-kick. Chhetri stepped up and slotted it home in the 51st minute to etch his name in the history books as ISL’s highest goalscorer with his 64th strike.

The visitors kept pushing in search of an opening, so much so that Jose Molina even turned to Jamie Maclaren in the 66th minute. The Mariners did come close to scoring courtesy of Aldred and Cummings but their attempts lacked venom to test Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in goal.

The Mariners threw bodies forward in search of something from the game but the Bengaluru FC backline held their shape with aplomb. On the contrary, Suresh initiated a counter-attack and found Sivasakthi Narayanan unmarked in the box. But the youngster’s effort was exceptionally kept out by Kaith, saving the Mohun Bagan SG from conceding another goal.

Key Performer of the Match: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

The 40-year-old youngster did put in a fantastic shift for Bengaluru FC as he scored a historic goal whilst setting up Suresh Singh for the second strike. Chhetri also completed 10 out of the 16 attempted passes and created two chances.

What next for both teams?

Bengaluru FC will travel for their next match against Mumbai City FC on October 2 whereas, Mohun Bagan Super Giant would want to regroup when they face Mohammedan Sporting Club in a Kolkata Derby on October 5.

Brief Scores:

Bengaluru FC 3 (Edgar Mendez 9’, Suresh Singh 20’, Sunil Chhetri 51’) – 0 Mohun Bagan Super Giant.

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