Second-half comeback extends BFC's unbeaten home run with draw vs Goa

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

Bengaluru FC effected a late comeback to clinch a point as they played out a 2-2 draw in their Indian Super League match against FC Goa, here Saturday. The Blues thus extended their unbeaten streak on their home turf to seven matches this season, winning five games and drawing twice. FC Goa were ahead 2-0 with goals from Sandesh Jhingan (7th minute) and Sahil Tavora (66th) but Bengaluru FC rallied with strikes from Ryan Williams (71st) and Jorge Pereyra Diaz (83rd) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. For the initial 10 minutes, FC Goa attempted to set the tone for the match.

They pressed high up, recovered possession, and earned set-pieces to assert their dominance in the game. One such free-kick came in the seventh minute, when Dejan Drazic launched in a looping delivery from the right end of the field. Jhingan, surrounded by a host of Bengaluru FC players, showed tremendous aerial ability to jump and head the ball into the bottom left corner to open the scoring. However, Bengaluru FC soon gained control of the proceedings. The Blues' offence was spearheaded by talismanic striker Sunil Chhetri, who made an ambitious attempt at goal from a fair distance outside of the box in the 14th minute. The precision on the shot was praiseworthy as it was directed straight at the bottom left corner before it was stopped by FC Goa custodian Hrithik Tiwari.

Another attacking move unfolded in the 28th minute that saw mid-fielder Suresh Singh showing impressive awareness to make a headed pass for Mendez, which was hit straight at Tiwari from the outside of the box. Bengaluru FC kept trying their luck from distance, as it was Ryan Williams' turn five minutes later to make a similar attempt off a pass by Chhetri, which again lacked the finesse to disturb the FC Goa goalkeeper's resilience.