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What’s the story?
As Bengaluru FC beat East Bengal to get their hands on their fifth trophy over the course of five years, the fans in and around the stadium could not contain their excitement. While exiting the Kalinga Stadium in Odisha, Sunil Chhetri was seen walking out, holding the trophy in his arms, while being greeted by a bunch of Bengaluru FC fans, who are regulars at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
In case you didn't know…
A brace from the man himself, Chhetri, and a goal each from Rahul Bheke, and Miku helped Bengaluru FC to claim the win against East Bengal, with a whopping scoreline of 4-1. After Krohma’s charismatic show of a jaw-dropping goal, displaying complete athleticism from the playmaker went past Sandhu, the BFC crowds went silent.
However, Roca’s men were right back into the game as Bheke headed an equaliser on the brink of half-time – followed by goals from Sunil and Miku. As the action took place in Bhubaneshwar, BFC emerged as the winners of the first ever Indian Super Cup.
The heart of the matter
Having scored a hattrick against Neroca FC, a class Harry Kane-like strike versus Mohun Bagan during the semi-final stages of the knockout tournament and another brace during the finale against East Bengal, Chhetri emerged as the leading goal-scorer of the Super Cup, netting six in total.
While the entire team took rounds to thank their visiting and local fans post the award presentation, Chhetri was seen indulging in chats and taking photographs with the mob of fans waiting outside of the Kalinga to get a glimpse of their champion heroes.
Amid all the fan interactions, the Bengaluru FC skipper handed over the Super Cup silverware to the West Block Blues and the rest is history. There couldn’t be a better way to thank the fans for their loyalty and constant support that they have shown BFC in good times and bad.
What’s next?
Amid all the celebrations after having won the Super Cup, Bengaluru FC will now shift focus towards the AFC Cup, as they face Aizawl FC on May 2, 2018, in the group stages of the tournament. BFC made it to the finals of the AFC Cup a couple of years ago, to face Al-Quwa Al-Jawiya, a team from Iraq, but unfortunately lost out by a goal to nil.
Author’s take
Sunil Chhetri has been a fan favourite for years and it is gestures like this that make the fans dote over him even more. For a fan, there is no better way his or her idol could have shared the victory in a better fashion than Chhetri did, by handing over the prize to his supporters and letting them have a relish of the feeling. These are the kind of things that set him apart from all other football players, and make him a legend, or as they say a ‘GOAT’ (greatest of all time).
