ISL 2024-25: Kasimov’s late strike hands Mohammedan SC win over Bengaluru FC
ISL 2024-25: Kasimov’s late strike hands Mohammedan SC win over Bengaluru FC
Mohammedan SC pulled off a stunning heist as it snatched a narrow 1-0 win over Bengaluru FC in Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday.
Mirjalol Kasimov’s superb freekick from just outside the penalty area in the 88th minute beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu at the near post to hand BFC its first home defeat of the season.
The victory – only the visitors’ second of the campaign, both away – came on the back of two nil-nil draws, and lifted Andrey Chernyshov’s wards from the bottom of the table into 12th position (10 points) above Hyderabad FC.
BFC remained second (27 points) but its fourth loss in the last nine fixtures will hamper its chances of a top-two finish, with FC Goa and Jamshedpur FC breathing down its neck.
The host will rue the chances attackers Alberto Noguera and substitute Shivaldo Singh missed from point-blank range in the first and second periods respectively. But it shouldn’t mask what was a largely subdued performance from BFC.
Mohammedan didn’t quite impress with its football. Defender Florent Ogier nearly turned one into his own net in the first half while midfielder Alexis Gomez lost the ball routinely from promising positions.
But the Kolkata side stayed tight when it mattered and landed the killer blow to ensure that this new year has so far been without blemish.
