RGPFC – 0; BFC – 2 (Udanta 66’ Javi 90+7 (P))
Kozhikode: RoundGlass Punjab FC (RGPFC) went down 2 – 0 to ISL runners up Bengaluru FC (BFC) in a Group A match of the Hero AIFF Super Cup 2023 played here at the EMS Corporation Stadium. Udanta Singh and Javi Hernandez scored the goals for the winners.
RGPFC Head Coach Staikos Vergetis made three changes in the line up from the previous match bringing in Huidrom Naocha Singh, Krishnananda Singh and BFC loanee Ajay Chettri instead of Mohammed Salah, Maheson Singh and Brandon Vanlalremdika. BFC Head Coach, Simon Grayson named a strong line up for a must win match with Indian team Captain Sunil Chhetri and N. Sivasakthi leading the attack line and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu in between the posts.
The first half saw dominance from RGPFC as they maintained possession and looked menacing going forward. Juan Mera was the main threat going forward as his dribbling and silky moves caused trouble for the BFC defence. He came close to scoring when his long range effort was deflected to safety by Sandesh Jhingan. BFC got their chance to open the scoring when Rohit Kumar received a pass on the edge of the box. The midfielder shrugged off Freddy Lallawmawma and hit a shot which hit the crossbar. RGPFC were promising in their exchanges but lacked the cutting edge. Right wing back Khaimingthang Lhungdim also tested Gurpreet Singh with a long ranger which whistled past the post. The best chance of the match came in the injury time when RGPFC defender Hmingthanmawia was dispossessed by Sunil Chhetri and Sivasakthi pounced on the ball but his shot was expertly saved by RGPFC keeper Kiran Kumar. The rebound fell for Sunil Chhetri who teed up the ball for Rohit Kumar who missed to convert into an empty goal.
BFC started the second half with more intent, looking to put pressure from the restart. BFC came close to scoring on multiple occasions but they were all thwarted by RGPFC keeper Kiran Kumar Limbu. Scoring chances by Sunil Chhetri, Udanta Singh and Roy Krishna were all saved brilliantly by the RGPFC keeper. BFC also had another chance when Roy Krishna ran clear of the defence and rounded the RGPFC keeper, but his shot was cleared off the line by Hmingthanmawia.
BFC’s relentless pressure showed the desired result in the 66th minute. Roshan Singh’s corner was headed towards goal by substitute Pablo Perez which was saved by the keeper but it rebounded kindly for Udanta Singh who headed it inside the goal from point blank range. BFC pushed on to score again but the RGPFC defender and goalkeeper stood strong. RGPFC were reduced to ten men in the 78th minute when left wing back Naocha Singh was sent off for his second yellow card for a foul on Namgyal Bhutia. Having the man advantage, BFC played to close the match by maintaining possession of the ball. RGPFC showed their fighting spirit and created opportunities to score in the final minutes of the match.
Brandon found the run of Freddy from a quick freekick, but the latter’s shot was weak and was saved easily by Gurpreet Singh. Luka Majcen tested the BFC keeper again the next minute but his shot was saved by the keeper to keep his clean sheet intact. BFC was awarded a penalty in the final seconds of the match when Javi Hernandez was fouled by substitute Mohammed Salah. Javi Hernandez converted the penalty with ease which was the last kick of the match. Sandesh Jhingan was adjudged the Hero of the Match.
