Last-gasp Udanta fires Bengaluru to Super Cup quarters after win over Gokulam Kerala
The Blues came from behind to seal the success.
An injury time winner (90+5’) from Udanta Singh sent Bengaluru FC to the quarterfinal of the Super Cup after Miku’s equaliser (70’) saw the Blues claw back from a goal down to beat Gokulam Kerala FC 2-1 at the Kalinga Stadium, on Sunday. The Bengaluru winger, who used his blistering pace down the right to set up Miku to make it 1-1, tapped home a pass from the Venezuelan to give Albert Roca a winning start to the tournament.
Earlier, Roca rolled out a full-strength squad that included John Johnson, Juanan Gonzalez, Rahul Bheke and Subhasish Bose in defence. Meanwhile Miku and Udanta had Sunil Chhetri for company in attack.
Bengaluru started the game hitting all the right notes and Chhetri was denied twice in a space of two minutes. The Blues’ skipper saw his shot on goal saved by ’keeper Nikhil Bernard. He then had another chance from the resulting corner put away after Mohammad Rashid cleared on the line. Bose and Udanta kept the Gokulam defence busy with darting runs and crosses in dangerous areas inside the box.
But it was the team from Kerala that shot into the lead after Salman K’s pass over the Bengaluru defence found Henry Kisekka who calmly scored past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to make it 1-0 in the 33rd minute.
Also Read
Kerala down West Bengal to clinch Santosh Trophy
Jamshedpur and Minerva face off as ISL and I-League tussle intensifies in Super Cup
Why Jurgen Klopp is the right man to derail Manchester City's Champions League quest
Gokulam did well to see out the half without conceding, but found Bengaluru’s pressure in the second half, tough to deal with. The woodwork denied Bengaluru an equaliser in the 49th minute when Bose’s attempt after being set up by a smart flick form Miku, crashed into the post. Chhetri soon came close, rising to nod a cross from Udanta, but the effort was off target.
Bengaluru’s intent bore dividends when Miku calmly stroked the ball low into the corner after a fantastic cut-back form Udanta. The striker then seemed to have closed the game when an audacious attempt that saw him lift the ball over an out of place Bernard, looked like bouncing in. But a desperate effort from Emmanuel Chigozie saw the defender get just enough of a leg on the ball to put it out for a corner.
[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]Gokulam’s resolve was finally broken when Miku paid back the debt of a pass to Udanta with just a minute left on the clock, and the winger slotted home to complete the comeback.
In the quarterfinal, the Blues will face the winners from the clash between Kerala Blasters and NEROCA FC. Bengaluru now head to Guwahati to take on Aizawl FC in an AFC Cup clash on Thursday.
- ISL 2024-25: Gurmeet Singh, Subhasish Bose garrison Matchweek 7 Team of the Week defence
- Cristiano Ronaldo told he'd be 'welcome' back at Manchester United under Amorim
- Indian Football Team Player Watch: Aakash, Chhangte & Manvir impress; Gurpreet, Suresh need to improve
- Wales announce squad for November international break; Tottenham duo Ben Davies & Brennan Johnson included
- ISL 2024-25: Top five Indian players from Matchweek 7
- Petr Kratky highlights this Mumbai City FC player's performance against Kerala Blasters
- Mohun Bagan not be fined by AFC after recognising their case as 'Event of Force Majeure'
- How much bonus did Vinicius Jr miss out on after losing Ballon d'Or 2024 award?
- Mats Hummels' girlfriend: Meet Nicola Cavanis, her job, Instagram & more
- Ballon d'Or 2024: List of all award winners
- ISL 2024-25: Gurmeet Singh, Subhasish Bose garrison Matchweek 7 Team of the Week defence
- ISL 2024-25: Top five Indian players from Matchweek 7
- How Vibin Mohanan & Jithin MS can add much-needed fresh dimension to Indian football team
- Which players were dropped from India’s probable squad for Malaysia international friendly?
- Owen Coyle praises this player after big win against Jamshedpur FC in ISL