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Rahul Bheke, Sunil Chhetri and Miku all got on the score-sheet as Bengaluru FC lifted the inaugural 2018 Indian Super Cup, registering a 4-1 win over East Bengal.
Kromah's magical bicycle kick went in vain as the Kolkata giants imploded and handed BFC a lifeline. Having taken the lead, the I-League team failed to keep their calm. Here are the major talking points from today's exciting final.
#1 Hectic start to the game
Being a final, one would have imagined Bengaluru and East Bengal would be a tad tentative in the early stages of the match. However what transpired was completely opposite. The viewers were treated to a spectacle as both sides from minute one attempted to find an early opening.
The game lacked fluidity and style early on. It was more of a case of both sides refusing to back down in their attempt to make a statement. At one end, Udanta looked to play on the shoulders of his marker and made things exciting down the flanks.
At the other end, Katsumi was involved in the thick of things and instilled a sense of urgency among his players who seemed pumped and focused for today's game.
#2 Did Gurpreet Singh Sandhu deserve a red for his cynical tackle?
Not for the first time this season, Bengaluru's lanky showstopper, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu lost his cool. Today, he could have easily been sent off inside the first ten minutes but for the referee who let him off the hook.
Ansumana Kromah managed to peel away from John Johnson after receiving a wonderful aerial ball. He was well on his way towards goal when Gurpreet ventured out from his box and lashed out at Kromah who had an open goal at his mercy.
Technically speaking, the referee ought to have brandished the red card to Bengaluru's keeper given that he was the last man who made that cynical tackle on East Bengal's striker. However, the given enormity of the situation - a cup final, the official displayed maturity and decided to not spoil the spectacle, brandishing only a yellow to Gurpreet.
#3 Kromah does a Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a splendid bicycle kick
After threatening for large parts of the first half, East Bengal were finally rewarded for their persistence. It stemmed from a set piece. Gurpreet Singh failed to effectively clear the corner kick and it fell to Kromah who had his back towards goal.
Under tremendous pressure from all sides, East Bengal's striker pulled off a Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring a sublime bicycle kick past Bengaluru's keeper who was caught in no man's land. That was Kromah's first goal for East Bengal. The Liberian joined the Kolkata giants this year.
In the larger scheme of things, EB deserved their lead. It's not every day that a team dominates Bengaluru FC and today, the men in gold and red thoroughly outplayed their opponents in the opening half.
#4 East Bengal implode and Bengaluru make merry
It well went downhill for EB once they opening the scoring tonight. Going down seemed to have spurred Bengaluru who amped up their game in fine fashion. Rahul Bheke levelled proceedings, scoring a well-taken header from a corner kick.
BFC refused to lift their foot off the pedal and continued to take the game to East Bengal. Their dominance grew and the Kolkata giants looked flustered. Then in a moment of madness, Samad Mallick lashed out at Subhasish Bose, making contact with the later's face.
Understandably, he received his marching orders and let down his team massively. As the half progressed, Chhetri and co. pushed their opponents to the corner and they didn't like it one bit, eventually imploding.
#5 Professional Bengaluru put petulant East Bengal to the sword
In the end, maturity triumphed over excitement. Tranquillity triumphed over anger. East Bengal only have themselves to blame for today's loss. It wasn't a brilliant performance by Bengaluru FC. Far from it.
But EB's petulance and excitement gave BFC a lifeline, the ISL finalists made the most of it, punishing their opponents for their careless approach. Already down to 10 men, EB's Gurwinder needlessly raised an arm inside the box and Sunil Chhetri coolly slotted home from the spot to give his side the lead.
Usual suspect, Miku then put East Bengal to the sword with a fine finish and topped off his magical season with yet another goal. Sunil then once again emerged to score a bullet header in the dying minutes. What started off as a promising day, turned into a forgetful night for the Kolkata giants.
