Bengaluru, Oct 18: Bengaluru FC secured their fourth victory of the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 season, despite playing with ten men for almost half an hour.
The Blues edged past Punjab FC 1-0 in a hard-fought match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday. Left-back Roshan Singh Naorem’s 43rd-minute goal proved decisive, handing Punjab their first loss of the season. For his match-winning goal and solid defensive performance, Roshan Singh was named Player of the Match.
Spanish head coach Gerard Zaragoza will surely be pleased with Bengaluru FC’s gritty win today. The team remains at the top of the table with 13 points, having won four and drawn one in five matches. On the other hand, Punjab FC’s Greek head coach, Panagiotis Delimperis, will be disappointed as his side failed to capitalize on their numerical advantage. With three wins and one loss from four games, Punjab has slipped from second to third place in the standings, sitting at nine points.
The only goal of the match came in the 43rd minute when left-back Roshan Singh Naorem put Bengaluru ahead with a brilliant strike. Argentine striker Jorge Pereyra Díaz delivered a cross from the right after cutting into the box, which deflected off Punjab’s left-back T. Abhishek Singh. The ball was looping towards the left, where Roshan sprinted in and unleashed a powerful left-footed volley into the right corner of the net. Goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, diving to his left, couldn’t prevent the goal.Bengaluru FC suffered a blow in the 58th minute when center-back Chinglensana Konsham was shown a second yellow card and sent off. Konsham had fouled Punjab’s substitute forward, Musaga Bakenga, with an elbow while attempting to head an aerial ball. Referee Mohammad Jamal immediately issued the red card, leaving Bengaluru to play with ten men for the remaining 33 minutes. Chinglensana had already received his first yellow card in the 33rd minute.
The first half was dominated by Bengaluru FC, who maintained their 1-0 lead thanks to Roshan Singh’s goal. The Blues controlled 73% of possession and took six shots, with one on target, resulting in the goal. Punjab FC, who had only 27% of possession, managed nine attempts, with three on target, but couldn’t break through Bengaluru’s defense.
This was the third ISL encounter between the two teams, with Bengaluru FC securing their first win. Punjab FC had won one match, while one ended in a draw. (Agencies)
