Bengaluru FC kicked off their Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over Hyderabad FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Thursday. The match was a special one for Bengaluru’s star striker, Sunil Chhetri, who not only powered his team to victory but also etched his name in ISL history. Chhetri’s brace saw him reach the landmark of 63 goals in the league, tying him with Bartholomew Ogbeche as the joint all-time leading scorer. This remarkable feat was achieved in 157 appearances, while Ogbeche reached the same milestone in 98 games.
The match started on a positive note for Bengaluru, with Vinith Venkatesh’s corner kick finding the head of defender Rahul Bheke in the fifth minute. Bheke volleyed the ball into the back of the net, giving his team an early lead.
Chhetri, who came on as a substitute in the 55th minute, added to Bengaluru’s lead with a late penalty. The penalty was awarded after Naorem Roshan was fouled inside the box. Chhetri stepped up and calmly slotted the ball past the Hyderabad goalkeeper. Deep into injury time, Chhetri completed his brace, heading in a cross from Edgar Mendez to seal the victory for Bengaluru.
Hyderabad, who started the match with an all-Indian lineup, put up a decent fight and created several chances. Devendra Murgaonkar missed a golden opportunity to equalize when he blasted the ball over the bar. Abdul Rabeeh kept Bengaluru’s defense on their toes with his dangerous solo runs. Former Bengaluru player Lenny Rodrigues and Abhijith Pa also made some promising runs but lacked composure in the final third.
The win was Bengaluru’s second in as many matches, while Hyderabad suffered a disappointing loss in their tournament opener. Chhetri’s historic achievement, coupled with Bengaluru’s convincing performance, made this match a memorable one for the fans.
