ISL Final: Bengaluru FC 1-0 FC Goa - 5 Talking Points as BFC overcome 2017-18 disappointment to clinch ISL trophy

#4 Ahmed Jahouh’s red card

Ahmed Jahouh's red card was the turning point as Bengaluru FC scored shortly afterwards

It seemed an equally-contested game until Ahmed Jahouh’s red card.

The Moroccan midfielder controlled the tempo, making 106 touches from the middle of the park, winning five freekicks and often looking to set up FC Goa forwards through slick lobs. He also proved a solid goal threat when he made late runs into the attacking third.

Defence-wise, he proved even more pivotal as he helped Mourtada Fall and Carlos Pena, essentially acting as the centre-back at times. In fact, he made 13 tackles and 11 clearances and was crucial to foiling Bengaluru FC’s attack.

However, toward the end of the first half of extra time, an incident, also involving Miku, saw him sent off. While it hardly looked malicious, the referee found his “kick” to Miku’s stomach dangerous enough to give him his marching orders. It didn’t take Bengaluru a lot of time after the sending off to break the deadlock.

The man who’d been pivotal to their reaching the final ended up costing them the title. The Goa players and staffers ensured they displayed their unhappiness over refereeing decisions both after his sending off and the final whistle.