10-man Bengaluru thump Goa 3-0 to top ISL table

BENGALURU: A 10-man Bengaluru FC climbed back to the top of the Indian Super League table with a mature 3-0 win over second-placed FC Goa at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Thursday. A man down after Nishu Kumar got his second yellow late in the first half, goals from Juanan (50th), Udanta Singh (58th) and Miku (69th) ensured a comfortable win for the hosts.
Both teams named strong line-ups although Carles Cuadrat chose to rest captain Sunil Chhetri.In a match which ebbed and flowed, both teams had periods of control but failed to open the scoreboard in the first half. Ahmed Jahouh almost stunned the home fans into silence in the fourth minute with a strike that had Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stretching to his limits to tip it onto the upright.
BFC grew into the game but was let down by weak finishing from Xisco and Miku. At the other end, Brandon Fernandes’ touch failed him when played in behind by Ferran Corominas. The pivotal moment came when Nishu got marching orders for a second foul on Jackichand Singh. After having been booked for pulling the winger down 15 minutes ago, the leftback was adjudged to have elbowed while climbing for a header which resulted in him heading for an early shower.
While it looked like the game might have turned in Goa's favour with the visitors so adept at keeping the ball, it proved different. After the change of ends, it was once again a set-piece that put Bengaluru ahead. A floated ball in the 50th minute was flicked on by Miku to Juanan who had the time for a touch before smashing the ball into the top corner.
Udanta doubled the lead eight minutes later on a counter. Goa having pushed up looking for an equaliser were susceptible for the first time on the break and Dimas Delgado slipped in the winger who rippled the net with a powerful shot. Goa tweaked their system in search for goals, even hit the bar through Brandon, but Miku ensured three points and a return to scoring form with a smart turn and shot from 25 yards.