ISL | Native lad Venkatesh is Bengaluru’s hero

Impactful: Venkatesh’s Twenty fifth-minute purpose sealed the deal for the host.
| Picture Credit score: Ok. MURALI KUMAR

 5 years in the past, Vinith Venkatesh served as a ballboy throughout Bengaluru FC’s Indian Tremendous League marketing campaign. On Saturday, Venkatesh made indelible reminiscences on the sector, scoring a match-winning purpose for BFC.

That includes in his first match on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the 19-year-old Venkatesh emerged because the hero in his facet’s 1-0 win over East Bengal FC.

The magic second got here within the Twenty fifth minute when an help from Edgar Mendez discovered an unmarked Venkatesh contained in the field. A great first contact and a low, exhausting strike to the far publish sparked celebration from the house followers. Senior statesman Sunil Chhetri rushed to have fun the purpose with native lad Venkatesh, who joined the membership academy on the age of eight.

Scrappy encounter

The scrappy encounter, with practically 12,000 spectators in attendance, noticed loads of clumsy and cynical challenges.

At least six gamers obtained yellow playing cards, whereas EBFC’s Lalchungnunga was despatched off for a second reserving. Tempers flared at occasions, forcing referee Crystal John to intervene.

EBFC stayed within the hunt for an equaliser, urgent ahead with intent.

The customer’s greatest probability got here late when substitute Cleiton Silva fired over the crossbar from shut vary. Within the first half, Jeakson Singh tried his luck from lengthy vary, however BFC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh was as much as the duty.

Mendez, making his BFC debut, practically acquired on the scoresheet with a crisp shot which barely missed the goal. A couple of minutes later, Mendez and Venkatesh ensured that BFC began its ISL season on a profitable notice.

The end result: Bengaluru FC 1 (Venkatesh 25) bt East Bengal FC 0.

Sunday’s match: Kerala Blasters FC vs Punjab FC.