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Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC took on I-League surprise package Gokulam Kerala FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa.
The Blues finished on the top of the ISL standings over the league stage but lost out to Chennaiyin FC in the final on March 17, 2018, at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. Their opponents Gokulam Kerala FC had a fruitful debut season in the I-League as they beat giants like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal and even the eventual champions Minerva Punjab FC.
Henry Kisseka got the lead for the Gokulam Kerala FC side in the 33rd minute and ended the half at 1-0 scoreline. Udanta Singh put in a superb second half as he provided an assist for Miku's goal and scored the match-winning goal in the added time to put Bengaluru FC through to the next round.
Bengaluru FC
Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (6/10) - Indian No.1 Sandhu had a decent game between the sticks but was beaten by Kisseka in the first half of the match when the striker beat the offside trap.
Rahul Bheke (6/10) - The Mumbai-born defender played on the right flank for the Blues and was highly active on the flank. He made a lot of overlapping runs along the flank and supported the attack well whenever he moved ahead.
Juanan (6/10) - The sturdy Spaniard was a strong presence in the Bengaluru defence as he combined with his regular partner John Johnson at the back. He was strong in the air and did well to contain the threat of Kisseka inside the box.
John Johnson (6/10) - The ATK-bound Johnson was in his usual no-nonsense demeanour as he made crucial clearances from the back. He was strong in the air as well proving a credible option during setpieces as well for the side.
Subhashish Bose (6.5/10) - The left-back for the Bengaluru side made a lot of attacking exploits along the flank as he was always an option on the line for the midfielders. He even hit the post on one occasion when he cut in from the left and let go an effort from outside the box.
Toni Dovale (6.5/10) - The Spanish playmaker operated just behind the attackers at the top of the midfield. He controlled the flow of the game in the centre of the park as he looked threatening with his through balls.
Lenny Rodrigues (6/10) - The Goa-born midfielder played the pivot role between the defence and midfield for Bengaluru. He broke up Gokulam attacks with his strong physical game and moved the ball around the park.
Victor Perez (6/10) - The new Bengaluru signing played alongside Toni Dovale in the midfield and moved all across the park notching up plays. He was tough in his tackling as well not allowing Gokulam players to get comfortable in the midfield.
Udanta Singh (8.5/10) - The pacey right winger was influential on the flank with his dangerous runs as he troubled the Gokulam defenders with his movement. He provided the assist for the Miku goal when he went past a couple of Gokulam players and set the Venezuelan up for an easy finish. Udanta scored the winning goal at the death to propel the side into the final eight.
Sunil Chhetri (7/10) - The Indian captain was threatening on the left flank as he cut in a lot of times taking efforts on the goal. He came close to scoring on a couple of occasions but was denied by the Gokulam Kerala FC keeper.
Miku (8/10) - The Venezuelan striker was a heavily marked man in the Bengaluru attack but tried his best to keep the Gokulam defence on their toes. He got the equalizer in the
Substitutes:
Nishu Kumar (4/10) - The young left-back was put on by Roca in the final twenty minutes of the match.
Erik Paartalu N/A - The Australian midfielder came on in the final ten minutes of the match as Roca made his second change of the match.
Gokulam Kerala FC
Nikhil Barnard (5/10) - The former Royal Wahingdoh custodian had a busy evening between the sticks as Bengaluru kept attacking the Gokulam goal. He was beaten twice from close range by Miku and Udanta Singh as Bengaluru stamped their authority in the match.
Emmanuel Chigozie (6/10) - The Nigerian centre-back was a solid presence at the back as he marked Miku inside the box using his strength well to keep the attacks in check. He was strong in the air as well proving an option during setpieces.
Provat Lakra (5/10) - The left-back Lakra was kept busy throughout the match by Subhashish Bose and Sunil Chhetri on his flank. As a result, he did not attack much and was restricted in his play.
Daniel Addo (5.5/10) - The Ghanian defender played a competent partner to Chigozie in the defence as they focused their efforts on keeping the formidable Bengaluru FC attack in check.
Mohammed Irshad (5/10) - The young Indian right back was a lively presence in the attack as he tried to trouble the Bengaluru defenders with his movement and pace.
Suhair V.P. (5.5/10) - The debutante midfielder played in the centre of the park and put in a solid shift as he was made to work hard by the Bengaluru midfield.
Hristijan Denkovski (6/10) - The Macedonian youngster was the playmaker for Gokulam Kerala FC as he threaded the passes for the South Indian side. He was good on the ball and looked for openings in the Bengaluru defence.
Musa Mudde (5/10) - Ugandan Mudde was a strong presence in the Gokulam midfield as he put in a lot of tackles trying to curb the flow of play of the Bengaluru side.
Rashid K (5.5/10) - The Kerala midfielder played a great supporting role to the attack as Bengaluru FC put on a strong defensive front not allowing the Kerala side much space in the middle of the park.
Salman K (6/10) - The attacking midfielder put in a hard shift in the middle of the park as he created some chances using his pace well.
Henry Kisekka (7/10) - The Ugandan striker was a constant threat to the Bengaluru defence and proved his mettle as he grabbed the first goal of the match.
Substitutes:
Shinu (3/10) - The defender came on to replace Addo in the final twenty minutes of the match as Bino George added fresh legs to the Gokulam defence.
Arjun Jayaraj (3.5/10) - The midfielder came on in the 71st minute of the match as Gokulam pushed on to find the winner after Miku's goal.
