Today at Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, in a thrilling Durand Cup quarter-final encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Bengaluru FC snatched a dramatic victory with a last-minute goal. And Kerala Blasters FC ended up their 133rd Durand Cup journey.
At the very first minute of the match, Kerala Blasters FC’s keeper Som was injured following a collision with Pereyra Diaz. He went down immediately and needed to be substituted. KBFC had to make an early forced change, with Sachin Suresh coming on for Som.
In the starting of the first half, KBFC looked attacking, but Bengaluru FC’s defense was well composed. In the 19th minute, from the left side of the box, Peprah took a ground shot towards the second post, but Gurpreet was alert and managed to keep the ball in his safe hands.
As time went on, Bengaluru FC gained control of the game and began to attempt various shots. Just before the halftime whistle, in the 43rd minute, Pereyra Diaz took an incredible shot from the edge of the box. Sachin Suresh saved the shot but failed to grip the ball. With the rebound, Noguera tried to take a strike, but KBFC’s defense managed to clear the ball.
In the second half, Bengaluru resumed the game with the same attacking intent. KBFC went for some counterattacks, but most of the time they were busy defending against Bengaluru FC’s attacking force. When the match approached the 90-minute mark, it seemed like it would go to a tie-breaker. But then, a flash of brilliance occurred in the last minute of additional time.
In the 90+5th minute, from a corner kick, Fanai delivered a cross from the right into the box. Chhetri passed the ball to Pereyra Diaz at the far post, and without delay, Pereyra Diaz took a powerful strike and sent the ball into the back of the net, securing Bengaluru’s place in the semi-final.
Today, with that late goal from Pereyra Diaz, Bengaluru FC secured a one-nil victory against Kerala Blasters FC. On August 27, Bengaluru will face Mohun Bagan SG in the second semi-final of the 133rd Durand Cup.
Man of the Match
Match Hilight
Key stats Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters FC:
BALL POSSESSION: BFC 62%, KBFC 38%
SHOTS: BFC 16, KBFC 8
SHOTS ON TARGET: BFC 5, KBFC 3
FOULS: BFC 10, BFC 16
YELLOW CARDS: BFC 3, KBFC 2
CORNERS: BFC 5, KBFC 4
OFFSIDES: BFC 2, KBFC 1
