Football: Mohammedan defeat Bengaluru, enter Hero Futsal Championship finals
New Delhi: Mohammedan Sporting Club (SC) defeated Bengaluru Football Club (FC) by 2-0 in the semi-finals of Hero Futsal Club Championship 2021 and booked their spot in the finals on Friday.
The intense match began cautiously as each team struggled to find its footing, focusing on their formations and defense strategies instead of actively chasing the ball. Though Mohammedan SC got the first opportunity to strike, Bengaluru FC goalkeeper Preetam Idnani’s strong reflexes denied them an opening goal.
Bengaluru finally possessed the ball, only for their rivals to retrieve it within minutes. Their skipper Robin Yadav saved the rebound shot after Idnani prevented another goal. Mohammedan goalkeeper Mihir Sawant saved their net from a point-blank range and dived left to save Edwin Rosario’s smash in the eighth minute as an effective counter against the FC’s defenses.
Meanwhile, the FC stole the ball midfield from Jayesh Sutar and received a free-kick, but Manish Chaudhary failed to capitalize on the opportunity. Bengaluru missed many scoring chances. The teams stood at 0-0 scores in the first half.
The second half began with Mohammedan’s Sachin Patil receiving a yellow card for discipline issues and ultimately leaving the field. Sutar broke through the defensive at the 32nd minute and intercepted the ball, smashing a right-side net to lead the SC by 1-0.
SC player Hilton Fernandez brought a penalty in the 36th minute and presented Bengaluru with an equalizing opportunity. However, Sawant deflected Yadav’s shot.
Sandesh Malpote reassured Mohammedan SC as he scored a 2nd goal for the team in the final 5 minutes.
Mohammedan SC will face Delhi FC in the finals at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi.
(Avya Mathur)
