ISL: Bengaluru FC starts ISL campaign in style with 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC

ISL debutant Bengaluru City FC got its campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over Mumbai City FC on Sunday.

Bengaluru FC's Garcia Martin celebrates his goal against Mumbai City FC on Sunday.

This may have been a new tournament but Bengaluru FC did not take long to acclimatize. Edu Garcia and captain Sunil Chhetri were on target as the ISL debutant began its journey with a 2-0 win over Mumbai City at a frenzied Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Sunday.

The first half had been cagey and physical but BFC's superiority told after the interval Garcia put the home side ahead on 67 minutes before Chhetri – who refused to celebrate against his former team – guaranteed the outcome with a strike in stoppage time.

MATCH CENTRE

BFC had the better of the early exchanges, even if the home side had little to show for its endeavour. Chhetri shot wide from a Miku cross before Udanta Singh blazed over the bar from the edge of the area. BFC found space behind Mumbai's full-backs and attacked it, with Udanta its principal outlet down the right flank.

The Manipur-born forward gave Abinash Ruidas a harrowing time with his pace, and had arguably the best chance of the half, when Chhetri played him through with acres of space ahead. But Udanta crossed when he should have shot and the move broke down. Mumbai did little of note except make a few robust challenges; its Brazilian defenders Gerson and Rozario were rightly booked.

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At half-time Alexandre GuimaraeWs decided his left-back had suffered enough at Udanta's hands. Ruidas was instead pushed forward with Meerajuddin Wadoo brought on. It made little difference. Not long after the hour mark, Edu Garcia played a corner short to Udanta. After a give-and-go, the Spaniard cut into the area unchallenged and fired past Amrinder Singh.

At half-time Alexandre Guimaraes decided his left-back had suffered enough at Udanta's hands. Ruidas was instead pushed forward with Meerajuddin Wadoo brought on. It made little difference. Not long after the hour mark, Edu Garcia played a corner short to Udanta. After a give-and-go, the Spaniard cut into the area unchallenged and fired past Amrinder Singh.

The result: Bengaluru FC 2 (Edu Garcia 67, Sunil Chhetri 90) bt Mumbai City FC 0.