ISL 2022-23: Sunil Chhetri gives Bengaluru FC edge over Mumbai City- Highlights
Bengaluru FC defeated Mumbai City FC 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-final.
Sunil Chhetri
It was Sunil Chhetri once again, for the second game running, who came off the bench and gave Bengaluru FC the winner. The Blues defeated Mumbai City FC 1-0 in the first leg of Semi-final 1 at the Mumbai Arena on Tuesday.
The first half saw Mumbai City dominate proceedings, but the hosts had nothing to show it for. Bengaluru FC came into their own a bit more in the second half, and after Chhetri's introduction, showed more vigour to break the deadlock.
In the 78th minute, Naorem Roshan delivered a perfect cross from the corner as the diminutive Chhetri found the back of the net with a sharp header. Greg Stewart's 89th minute freekick was just brushed away by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu's fingertips, but the corner wasn't given by the referee.
Chhetri had another glorious chance to double their lead in the stoppage time, but Phurba Lachenpa rose to the ocassion and kept the score line from changing.
As it happened:
And that's that at the Mumbai Arena. Bengaluru FC clinch the first leg of the semi-final as Sunil Chhetri headed the ball into the net after coming on from the bench.
FT: MCFC 0-1 BFC
Brilliant save from Lachenpa to deny Chhetri and Bengaluru their second.
Roy Krishna toe pokes the ball towards Chhetri who goes for it first time, but Lachenpa is equal to it.
The replay shows Gurpreet getting a touch but the referee refuses. Mourtada Fall gets a yellow card in the process of pleading their case.
About five minutes to go in regulation time but can the hosts get one back to level the scales?