Arunava about Football A look at football & the world through my eyes!
Related Articles
Bengaluru FC continued their charge in the 2024 Durand Cup with a convincing 3-0 win against I-League side Inter Kashi at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan, in Kolkata, on Saturday. Goals from Spanish summer signings Edgar Mendez and Alberto Noguera were added to by a birthday strike from skipper Sunil Chhetri, as Zaragoza’s side consolidated top spot in Group B. The top-ranked team from each group, along with the two best second placed teams in the Durand Cup, will make it through to the quarterfinals, scheduled to begin on August 21st.
Earlier, Gerard Zaragoza made two changes to his eleven from the one that beat Indian Navy FT three days ago, as Spanish attacker Edgar Mendez made his debut, replacing Ryan Williams in attack. Young midfielder Harsh Patre got the nod ahead of Lalremtluanga Fanai in the middle of the park. Inter Kashi, meanwhile, started with Edmund Lalrindika down the flank, as Mario Barco and Chirag Bhujel manned the attack.
It was Inter Kashi that started the game well, creating several chances in the opening exchanges. Lalrindika found space in the box and managed to get shots away on multiple occasions, but the Blues’ backline stood resolute. After a quarter of an hour of football, referee Crystal John pointed towards the spot following a handball in the Inter Kashi box. Blues’ debutant Mendez made no mistake, slotting the ball home to give his side an early lead and open his account for the season.
Zaragoza’s side controlled possession and the game after their opener, and saw the first half out with a one goal lead. Into the second period, Zaragoza rang in changes with Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Chinglensana Singh replacing Sivasakthi Narayanan and Aleksandar Jovanovic. Controlling play with ease, Bengaluru were happy to move the ball around and create openings through Noguera, who continued to operate in his preferred role down the middle of the park. It was the Spaniard’s late run into the box that would double Zaragoza’s lead in the 77th minute.
Collecting a throw-in from substitute Williams, Noguera needled a pass into the box that Chhetri ran onto and cut back for Pereyra Diaz. The Argentine striker laid a pass back on the turn for Noguera to slot home from 12 yards out. Bengaluru added another on the 81-minute mark when Chhetri nodded home a corner to mark his birthday with a strike.
The Blues had a chance to claim back to back 4-0 wins when referee John pointed to the spot once again, but Williams’ effort from the spot was saved superbly by Shubham Dhas.
Bengaluru next face Mohammedan Sporting Club in their final Group B encounter of the Durand Cup, at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, on August 6th at 7 pm.
