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Sunil Chhetri scored his second hattrick in Bengaluru FC colours (13′, 55′, 90+4′) to set up a semifinal clash for the gallery against Mohun Bagan as Albert Roca’s Bengaluru FC beat NEROCA FC 3-1 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday.
The early kick-off in seemingly harsh conditions didn’t dictate the tempo that Bengaluru FC are used to playing at, or so it seemed, when Chhetri finished off a fantastic breakaway move with a header in the 13th minute. Miku deftly switched flanks and Udanta Singh sent in a cross that was parried away only for the Blues’ skipper to nod home into an empty goal.
With the lead in hand, Bengaluru FC began moving the ball around with more ease, stitching together some delightful passes in the process. Miku for one, brought the flicks and twists to the pitch while Udanta kept drawing orange shirts to him every time he had possession. Miku had a shy at goal from distance, Erik Paartalu came close with a glancing header and Chhetri saw a hit saved at point-blank range by keeper Lalit Thapa.
However, an uncharacteristic error from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu let NEROCA claw back into the tie with just a minute of additional time in the first half left to play for. Sandhu failed to latch on to a free kick, spilling the ball at the feet of Pritam Singh. The Bengaluru FC keeper recovered well to keep out a shot from close only to see Pritam get a second chance that he put away.
Not keen on the prospect of bowing out of the tournament or taking the game to extra time, Bengaluru FC began pushing NEROCA to the ropes as soon as the second half began and Chhetri made the charge count with a calm finish in the 55th minute. The skipper beat the last line of defence and was picked up perfectly by a flick from Miku. With only Thapa to beat, Chhetri placed it past the ‘keeper’s left to make it 2-1.
Looking to replicate a miracle that saw them come back from two goals down to beat Kerala Blasters 3-2 in the pre-quarterfinal, NEROCA efforts often came crashing into a solid Bengaluru FC defence.
In what was a goal that stamped the seal on things, Chhetri was picked out by second half substitute Toni Dovale before caressing the ball past Thapa with just the perfect hint of a curl, giving the skipper his second hattrick in a Bengaluru FC shirt.
Bengaluru FC will face Mohun Bagan in the semifinal of the inaugural Super Cup, on April 17, with the winner set to play one of FC Goa or East Bengal.
