Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC’s new head coach Pep Munoz got an early taste of Indian Super League as he was handed a 1-2 defeat on debut by a heated, yet struggling rivals Kerala Blasters, who ended their seven-match winless run in the season.
The defeat was more of BFC’s making as Argentine midfielder Braian Sanchez fell for a needless altercation with Matias Hernandez for a straight red card at the 34th minute, leaving his side exposed despite taking the lead through Fallou NDiaye own goal seven minutes earlier.
Second half goals from Victor Bertomeu (61st) and substitute Franchu Feuillassier (79th) pushed KBFC away from the relegation zone (4 points from 8 matches) while Bengaluru FC (14 from 8) remain at fourth and four points away from table toppers Mumbai City FC.
After a relatively quiet first 20 minutes, BFC’s first shot on target came in the 24th minute following a build up from the back as centre-back Rahul Bheke played Ryan Williams through to the goal for a shot saved by Arsh Anwer Shaikh.
This turned out to be a practice routine for the duo as Bheke made an identical pass a couple of minutes later for Ryan to square it towards Chhetri but a diving centre-back Ndiaye did BFC a favour instead by putting the ball into the net.
BFC, however, dug themselves a hole minutes after the half an hour mark as a off-the-ball argument between Braian and rival Matias turned physical. However, Braian’s intention to hit Matias didn’t sit well with the match referee Pratik Mondal, who showed the Argentine a straight red while Matias was cautioned with a yellow.
This made the rest of the match for BFC about soaking in pressure of KBFC attack with the aim to hit them on the break. That became evident as early as 48th minute when Poojary put Ryan through the goal for the BFC winger to nudge off his marker for a shot over the crossbar.
The missed opportunity cost dearly as BFC’s defensive resistence was eventually broken through a swift counter-attack. Right-back Ebindas Y broke through the middle to set-up Bertomeu clear to the goal and the Spanish striker did the honours by calmly slotting the ball low past Gurpreet Singh.
With the leverage gone, BFC were forced to open up their formation in hunt of a goal while a thin bench strength further made those chances arduous.
Blasters smelled blood as their new Argentine signing Franchu came off the bench to bury in the winner from the right wing as a wide gap opened up on the lest side of BFC defence.