MUMBAI: Bengaluru FC took one step towards the final when they defeated hosts Mumbai City 1-0 in the first leg of their Indian Super League semifinal at the Mumbai Football Arena here on Tuesday.
Bengaluru clearly rode on the momentum after their high-profile and controversial clash with Kerala Blasters, and having endured a 4-0 hammering here in the league stage fixture last November, Simon Grayson's side played a brand of football that suggested they came with a plan to limit the damage in the away leg of the semifinals.
Just as he had done against Blasters last Friday, but without any controversy this time, Sunil Chhetri came off the bench in the second half and deftly lost his marker to head in a corner in the 80th minute.
It was enough to give Bengaluru a remarkable 10thstraight win, while Des Buckingham's Mumbai, who had been on an 11-game winning streak of their own enroute to winning the league stage, have now suffered their third-straight defeat.
Mumbai were not at their slick best and at times looked like they were labouring. The fact that their best eleven had not played for a month showed in their rustiness, particularly in the second half. On this occasion, even Ahmed Jahouh and Greg Stewart, the midfield generals who have been so integral to Mumbai's stellar run in the league stages, struggled to inspire the hosts.
Among the few things Bengaluru did right, was the manner in which they bottled up Mumbai's go-to wing player Lallianzuala Chhangte, which stifled Mumbai. The ISL Shield winners did create some openings, but they lacked the sharpness needed to breach the Bengaluru defence.
The fact that the Blues created only one chance in the first half was enough evidence of their approach. But to Bengaluru's credit, like an army marching into rival territory, they stole inch after inch from Mumbai and looked a much more formidable rival in the second half, as Chhetri, just like he's done on so many occasions in the past, earned them a precious reward.
