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Bengaluru FC became the new ISL champions as an extra-time header from Rahul Bheke helped the table-toppers pip FC Goa in the 2018-19 season ISL final.
This is also Bengaluru FC's first silverware under new coach Carles Cuadrat after having won the I-League twice, Federation Cup twice, and Super Cup once under previous coaches Ashley Westwood and Albert Roca.
Bengaluru FC fielded an unchanged side that defeated Northeast United FC 3-0 in the second leg of the Hero ISL semi-final whereas Sergio Lobera made one change to the FC Goa side that lost 1-0 to Mumbai City FC in their second leg.
He took off Hugo Boumous and brought in Edu Garcia in the attacking midfielder role. However, it paid no dividends as the Gaurs couldn't register a single goal.
At the end of the day, the match was a tightly contested affair with individual battles deciding the fate of the outcome. Without any further ado, here are five hits and flops from the ISL final match between Bengaluru FC and FC Goa.
#5 Hit - Jackichand Singh (FC Goa)
FC Goa went into the game with a four-day break and Bengaluru FC with a five-day one. Given the ample time they had, both the teams did their homework and, it led to a blunt first half.
However, Jackichand Singh created constant menace in the right wing and had Nishu Kumar in his toes. The best chance to FC Goa fell in the 14th minute of the game when Jackichand Singh left his marker Nishu Kumar for dead and pumped in a cross to Ferran Corominas in the far post. However, the Spaniard couldn't keep his first-time shot on target and, the ball went away for a goal-kick.
Even the first shot on target of the game from FC Goa came through his trickery down the wing. He dispossessed Dimas Delgado in the midfield and went to the edge of the box before cutting it to Ahmed Jahouh.
As the game progressed, Jackichand Singh grew tired for all the hard work he had put in. Finally taken off in the 110th minute and received a standing ovation from the FC Goa fans.
#4 Flop - Miku (Bengaluru FC)
Miku had missed plenty of chances in the second leg semi-final against Northeast United FC. However, once Federico Gallego was taken off the pitch through an ambulance, Bengaluru FC got the control of the game and Miku gave them the lead.
The Venezuelan carried a lot of expectations on his shoulder as in the previous encounter against FC Goa he single-handedly defeated the Gaurs. However, Miku couldn't replicate his performance in the final and came second-best in the battle against Mourtada Fall.
Miku had a total of 5 shots in the game but only two of them were on target. In the 81st minute, he could have sealed the deal when he was one-on-one with the goalkeeper from within the six-yard box. However, he had to take the shot from his weaker left foot and, it hit the post.
His link-up play with Udanta Singh and Sunil Chhetri in the attacking third was also poor as he only had a passing accuracy of 29%. Moreover, he even went into the book for a meaningless challenge against Ahmed Jahouh in the first half of extra-time.
#3 Hit - Mourtada Fall (FC Goa)
Mourtada Fall won two back-to-back 'Hero of the Match' awards against Mumbai City FC in the two legs of the ISL semi-finals. He brought his A-game into the finals against Bengaluru FC and only let them take only three shots on target.
Even the hitman Miku who toyed him in the previous encounter had no luck. In the extra-time of the second half of regulation time, Udanta Singh laid a brilliant pass towards Miku on the half-volley. Miku controlled it with his chest before taking a shot but, Mourtada Fall put his body on the line to ensure the shot only hits his face before going out for a corner.
The Senegalese also had 25 clearances to his name and a 90% passing accuracy. Moreover, his 96 touches also contributed to 12% of the entire team.
#2 Flop - Ahmed Jahouh (FC Goa)
Ahmed Jahouh had a disaster of a game for FC Goa with his insipid performance in the center of the park being one of the key reasons they failed to create a lot of chances in the attacking half.
A meaningless yellow card right when the game resumed from the half-time break on a foul on Xisco Hernandez followed by an unnecessary follow-through on Miku where he hit his stomach led to the Moroccan being sent off. The referee had given him countless warnings after being booked for the first time but, Ahmed Jahouh continued playing roughly.
His shot from just outside the box that forced Gurpreet Singh Sandhu to a diving save was the only positive influence he had on the game. But, he came second-best in his battle against Xisco Hernandez in the midfield and failed to bring his A-game.
#1 Hit- Rahul Bheke (Bengaluru FC)
Rahul Bheke missed out on the national team call-up to the AFC Asian Cup but didn't let the disappointment affect his performance for Bengaluru FC in the ISL. Arguably, one of the best defenders in the ISL, he lived up to his task against FC Goa in the finals.
Forging a solid partnership with Juanan in the heart of the defence, he played the offside trap perfectly and caught the FC Goa players offside eight times. A total of seven clearances, two interceptions, and two blocks also show that he wasn't a mere spectator in the centre-back position.
And, finally coming to the moment of glory, Rahul Bheke cut across to connect Dimas Delgado's corner-kick and headed it with aplomb. Surely, luck aided him as the ball hit the inside of the woodwork before bulging the back of the net. Naveen Kumar had no chance to save it. But, if you are as good as Rahul Bheke, you wouldn't mind luck helping you out a little.
