ISL 2020-21: Sunil Chhetri penalty gives Bengaluru FC the win against Chennaiyin FC

Deepak Malik / Sportzpics for ISL

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A 56th minute Sunil Chhetri penalty helped Bengaluru FC secure their first win of the season as they beat Chennaiyin FC 1-0 at Bambolim on Friday. Chhetri scored with a low, powerful drive to Vishal Kaith's right hand corner after Cleiton Silva was brought down in the box by substitute Edwin Vanspaul.

Vanspaul was on the field after Anirudh Thapa had to be replaced in the 15th minute after a couple of rough challenges from Ashique Kuruniyan. The first half was punctuated with such challenges from both sides, with the game growing increasingly physical as both sides struggled to create chances.

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Bengaluru had a few openings from set pieces, with Chennaiyin's best chances coming when they countered off the BFC set pieces that weren't as effective. Thapa's early withdrawal meant Chennaiyin spent much of the first half recovering. As a consequence, Bengaluru dominated the ball for large parts, even if they lacked penetration. With Dimas Delgado starting for them, they attempted to play a more expansive game than they had in the opening two matches of this season.

The game opened up in the second half, especially post the penalty. Dimas Delgado had a rasping drive saved well by Kaith on the hour mark. A few minutes later, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu was called into action after Fatkhullo Fatkhuloev smacked a volley at him from a tight angle.

Bengaluru were then given a lifeline in the 69th minute, when Rafael Crivellaro's goal-bound header was deflected away off Kuruniyan's outstretched hand. Neither the referee nor the linesman spotted the infringement.

The chances kept coming at either end - a wild Harmanjot Khabra cross, an Erik Paartalu shot from distance that whistled just over, a Fatkhuloev shot that hit the side netting all creating a measure of panic in the respective opposing boxes but nothing materialized.

This is Bengaluru's first win of the season, and boosts them to an early third place with five points in three games. Chennaiyin slip to sixth with four points in three.

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