On one more magical evening of knockout soccer for Bengaluru FC on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Gerard Zaragoza’s males spanked Mumbai City FC 5-0 to enter the 2024-25 Indian Super League semifinal right here on Saturday.
In what was BFC’s largest house win within the ISL, winger Ryan Williams assisted the primary aim, gained the penalty for the second and scored the third in a splendid efficiency.
Sunil Chhetri began on the bench however nonetheless left his mark with an skilled end from distance when Mumbai goalie Phurba Lachenpa botched a clearance and left his goalmouth uncovered.
Fellow substitute Jorge Pereyra Diaz capped his first sport in additional than two months by placing the ultimate nail within the coffin and guaranteeing that confidence will likely be sky-high when his aspect takes on FC Goa within the first-leg of the semifinal, additionally at Kanteerava, on April 2.
The guests neither had the legs to outlast BFC nor concepts to outsmart. Brandon Fernandes and Lallianzuala Chhangte made the XI regardless of being injured within the lead-up however BFC shut the artistic duo down fantastically. Jorge Mendoza’s free-kick that clattered in opposition to the bar within the first half was the closest Mumbai got here.
BFC drew first blood as early because the ninth minute when Williams’ low drive from the fitting deflected off defender Thaer Krouma, and the onrushing Suresh Wangjam slotted the ball in cleanly.
That was the earliest signal that flanks can be from the place BFC would launch most assaults, and with Williams main the road brilliantly and routinely beating the offside lure, the house outfit ran riot, sending a number of aerial balls to maintain Mumbai on tenterhooks.
Petr Kratky’s wards by some means held on however the resistance snapped with minutes left for the break. Alberto Noguera slipped in a cheeky ball for Williams to chase, and the Aussie was challenged by defender Hmingthanmawia. The latter seemingly gained the ball, just for the referee to award a penalty.
With Chhetri nonetheless within the dug-out, Edgar Mendez took over penalty duties and transformed the spot-kick to ship the BFC devoted into raptures. They would style ecstasy not lengthy after.
The outcome: Bengaluru FC 5 (Wangjam 9, Mendez 42, Williams 62, Chhetri 76, Pereyra Diaz 83) bt Mumbai City FC 0.
Published – March 29, 2025 10:41 pm IST
