Durand Cup 2022: Chhetri, Krishna guide Bengaluru to a 2-1 win over Jamshedpur

Sunil Chhetri and Roy Krishna scored a goal each as Bengaluru FC beat Jamshedpur FC 2-1 in its opening match of the Durand Cup 2022.

Sunil Chhetri was involved in both goals scored by Bengaluru FC, with Roy Krishna scoring from his assist in the second half. | Photo Credit: Durnad Cup Media

A 10-man Bengaluru FC withstood a spirited challenge from Jamshedpur FC before emerging 2-1 winner in a Group-A league match of the Durand Cup, at the Kishore Bharati Stadium here on Wednesday.

Bengaluru started well and created the first scoring opportunity in the first minute. But the goal remained elusive as midfielder Danish Farooq failed to produce the desired finish.

AS IT HAPPENED | Durand Cup Highlights JFC 1-2 BFC: Sunil Chhetri and Roy Krishna score as Bengaluru FC beats Jamshedpur FC

Facing a team of spirited young boys from the reserve side of JFC, Bengaluru took some time to find its rhythm. The former Indian Super League (ISL) champion finally opened the scoring from a set-piece situation in the 23rd minute when the Indian captain Sunil Chhetri nodded home a corner from new signing Prabir Das.

23' WHO ELSE! Prabir swings in an inch-perfect cross that Chhetri plants firmly past Dhami to give Bengaluru the lead. 0-1. #WeAreBFC#JFCBFCpic.twitter.com/3P1modGazE

— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) August 17, 2022

The change of ends saw the arrival of the team’s another priced signing Roy Krishna, who soon combined with Chhetri to produce the insurance goal for Bengaluru in the 56th minute.

The second goal was a fine outcome of top class football as Krishna played a dummy on a Parag Shrivas floater to allow Chhetri unchallenged access inside the Jamshedpur box. The latter then complimented with a perfect cross that Krishna had no problem in slotting home.

BFC suffered a setback after seeing its newly signed left-back Hira Mondal collecting his second booking of the match following a rash foul on Jamshedpur midfielder Hijam Lenin Singh near the hour mark.

JFC used the opportunity to pull one back as Rishi volleyed home a finely set free-kick from Vikash Singh in the 61st minute. Jamshedpur tried hard to find the equaliser but the Bengaluru defence held strong to ensure the win.

Odisha thrashes NorthEast United 6-0

Odisha FC came out with a strong showing to down ISL rival NorthEast United FC by half a dozen goals (6-0) at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati.

Jerry of Odisha celebrates his second goal for Odisha against NorthEast United at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati. | Photo Credit: Durand Cup Media

With coach Josep Gombau returning for his second stint with Odisha FC, the club went into attack mode against an opposition that primarily fielded its reserve players. 

Odhisa FC enjoyed a comfortable 3-0 lead in the opening half with Jerry Mawihmingthanga scoring twice and Nandhakumar Sekar adding one.

Odisha doubled the lead after the break with goals from Isak, Diego Mauricio and Thoiba Singh, who scored once each in the last 10 minutes of the action.

The result:

Group A (Kolkata): Jamshedpur FC 1 (Rishi 61) lost to Bengaluru FC 2 (Sunil Chhetri 23, Roy Krishna 56).

Group D (Guwahati): North East United FC 0 lost to Odhisa FC 6 (Jerry 14, 37, Nandhakumar 25, Isak 81, Mauricio 87, Thoiba 90)