Bengaluru FC returned to the top of the Indian Super League table after a narrow 1-0 win over defending champions Atletico de Kolkata (ATK) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Sunday.
Bengaluru’s captain Sunil Chhetri scored a stunning long-range goal to give the Blues a first-half lead. Bengaluru controlled majority of the game and could have added more goals if it wasn’t for key saves made by the ATK keeper.
The game started with Bengaluru FC controlling possession and the first chance falling to Bengaluru’s Erik Partaalu after his header hit the post. Rahul Bheke’s follow-up effort was cleared off the line. It was a first half with few clear cut chances and it took till the 40th minute for the game’s first goal. Chhetri pounced upon a stray pass by Atletico’s Conor Thomas. The striker took a couple of touches and drove a fierce shot into the top corner to give Bengaluru the lead.
ATK manager Teddy Sheringham made two changes at half-time in an attempt to reduce the deficit but it was Bengaluru that started well in the second half, testing Atletico’s keeper Debjit Majumder on more than one occasion.
It took till the 60th minute for ATK to take their first shot on target with Robbie Keane drawing a save out of Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.
But it was Bengaluru who went close to a second goal with Erik Partaalu, Braulio Nobrega and Edu Garcia all drawing saves out of Debjit.
With the win, Bengaluru FC climbed back to the top of the ISL table with 18 points from nine games. It was ATK’s first defeat in four games.
Bengaluru FC next face Delhi Dynamos (January 14) and Mumbai City (January 18) in successive away games before facing Bhutanese club Transport United in the AFC Cup preliminary round.