That's all for Sportskeeda's coverage of the engaging first leg of the semi-final tie between the Islanders and the Blues. This is Sayantan signing off and I hope to see you soon!
This has been a phenomenal display of counter-attacking football from Bengaluru FC throughout the 90 minutes. While Mumbai City FC looked to be running away with the game in the initial exchanges, Simon Grayson's men kept their cool and dug deep. They were happy to let the Islanders enjoy the possession, while they plotted for the opportune moment to strike.
That moment came through the mythical figure in Bengaluru FC's folklore, Sunil Chhetri, in the 78th minute. The veteran forward expertly judged and nudged a corner from Roshan Singh to give the visitors the all-important lead.
Bengaluru have now won 10 matches on the trot and carry a massive advantage going into the second leg of the semi-final tie back in Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Meanwhile, the Islanders and Des Buckingham will have to return to the chalkboard after a night of squandered chances.
FULL-TIME: Mumbai City FC 0-1 Bengaluru FC
90+5' THAT COULD'VE BEEN THE TIE!
Once again Bengaluru catch the hosts on the break and it's three Bengaluru attackers against two defenders. Pablo Perez sets up Sunil Chhetri inside the box with all the time in the world. However, the Indian skipper's effort is punched away by Lachenpa. Chhetri could be left ruing the miss if the scoreline alters in the second leg.
90+1' QUICK COUNTER FROM BFC!
Mumbai seemed to have finally found an opening in the opposition half. But Bengaluru win the ball quickly and sets off on a counter. Roy Krishna plays Chhetri through down the right side of the opposition half and with a defender on him, the talismanic forward goes for a quick shot. Phurba Lachenpa, however, is up to the task.
90' Five minutes of additional time to be played.
89' Mourtada Fall gets into the referee's book for dissent.
84' Jorge Diaz gets the ball on the left hand side. He takes it on his left foot and puts an inswinging cross. Ayush Chhikara heads it towards the goal but fails to generate any power on it.
83' We're deep into the final 10 minutes of the game and this looks like Mumbai's poor run of form in the last three matches will continue. They haven't shown composure in the final third and it has come back to bite the Islanders.
80' Sub for MCFC: Apuia Ralte goes off for Ayush Chhikara.
78' GOOOOAAALLL!
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. No drama this time but still a lot of class. Sunil Chhetri nudges home a corner from Naorem Roshan Singh to give Bengaluru an unexpected lead and a massive boost in this tie!
76' Double change for BFC: Pablo Perez and Jayesh Rane come on for Javi Hernandez and Rohit Kumar.
75' More change for MCFC: Vikram Pratap Singh comes on for Bipin Singh.
72' Lallianzuala Chhangte sprints down the right flank. He puts in a delicious early cross at the far post. It is accurately read by Prabir Das, who heads it out for a corner kick but MCFC is unable to take full use of it.
68' Change for MCFC: Ahmed Jahouh makes way for Alberto Noguera.
62' Sunil Chhetri has come on and has immediately reignited the BFC attack. The veteran forward has expertly combined with Javi Hernandez.
58' Substitution for BFC: Sunil Chhetri comes on for Sivasakthi Narayan. The noise inside the stadium is going up!
57' Jorga Pereyra Diaz goes into the referee's book for a late challenge on Naorem Roshan Singh.
54' Lallianzuala Chhangte gets the ball at the edge of the box, sets himself half, and pulls the trigger, But he again skies his effort.
51' Some attacking commitment from Bengaluru come to display as they get into the opposition box. Roshan Singh's cut back from the left is met with a low shot from Roy Krishna from outside the box. But it hardly troubles Phurba Lachenpa.
48' Bengaluru seem to be happy to defend through the night and take the game into the second leg.
47' Apuia receives the pass just outside the box. He uses his strength to get the ball on his feet. He shifts to his right and tries to pull the trigger from way out. Although, he miscues it and it goes out for a goal kick.
46' SECOND HALF GET US UNDERWAY!
HALF-TIME: Mumbai City FC 0-0 Bengaluru FC
45+2' Apuia also goes into the referee's book for dissent.
45+1' Ahmed Jahouh shown a yellow card for his rash tackle on Javi Hernandez.
45' Two minutes of additional time.
44' Bengaluru are enjoying a little bit of possession here and creating some attacks of their own.
39' GURPREET TO THE RESCUE!
Greg Stewart was posed with an opportunity to run at the opposition's defense, The Scotsman gets to the edge of the box and tries to send Jorge Diaz through on goal. But the pass is slightly overcooked and an onrushing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is able to gobble up the ball.
35' Javi Hernandez goes down with a knock, worrying the BFC bench. However, the Spaniard is able to run it off soon.
34' Aleksandar Jovanovic heads away a cross from Ahmed Jahouh from the left. Mehtab Singh is the quickest to latch on to the ball. He chests it down to take a left-footed volley, but it lacks strength and sails way past the goal.
29' Except for Suresh Singh Wangjam, the other BFC midfielders have looked a little bit overwhelmed. Javi Hernandez needs to drop deep and add numbers in the middle.
25' Bengaluru have shown no significant attacking intent since the opening minute. Meanwhile, Mumbai are relentlessly looking for an opening now.
20' CLOSE!
Ahmed Jahouh delivers a signature inch-perfect corner and Jorge Diaz gets a free header, but puts it just wide of the goal.
16' Vignesh Dakshinamurthy plays the ball first time to Ahmed Jahouh in the middle of the park. The Moroccan midfielder takes a touch and goes for the long ranger as BFC defenders are backing away, but the ball flies well over the target.
12' MUMBAI ARE RELENTLESS!
The Islanders continue to pin down the BFC defense. Apuia and Greg Stewart both had chances in quick succession but couldn't break the deadlock. However, Bengaluru will soon need to up the ante.
9' WASTAGE OF POSSESSION FROM APUIA!
Mumbai once again get into the opposition box before Bipin does well to set up Apuia down the middle of the pitch. However, the youngster's shot from outside the box flies skywards.
5' It's been all Mumbai City so far in this game. Bengaluru look too cautious for their own liking. All the action unfolding in the visitor's box.
2' Early charge from MCFC as Greg Stewart rushes down the right flank and cuts back the ball into the center of the box. Bipin Singh is about to unleash an effort but Prabir Das steps in with a crucial tackle.
1' KICK-OFF!
The visitors get us underway at the Mumbai Football Arena!
The Blues will be looking to leave behind their knockout fixture against Kerala Blasters FC, which was impregnated with drama. The match then spilled into extra time. However, just seven minutes into the additional phase of play, Sunil Chhetri scored from a quick free-kick that the Blasters protested being chalked out. But referee Crystal John stuck to his decision and ultimately, led by Ivan Vukoamnovic, KBFC decided to forfeit the fixture,
As a result of the walk-off, the Blues secured a berth in the semi-final and managed to extend their winning run to nine matches.
Meanwhile, the ISL League Shield winners suffered two consecutive defeats in their closing matches of the regular season. But those defeats came after a stretch of 18 games where they remained unbeaten and managed to secure their first piece of silverware this season.
Hello and welcome to Sportskeeda's live coverage of the first leg of the semi-final tie between Mumbai City FC and Bengaluru FC in ISL 2022-23. This is Sayantan and I'll be taking you through an electrifying fixture at the Mumbai Football Arena.
That moment came through the mythical figure in Bengaluru FC's folklore, Sunil Chhetri, in the 78th minute. The veteran forward expertly judged and nudged a corner from Roshan Singh to give the visitors the all-important lead.
Bengaluru have now won 10 matches on the trot and carry a massive advantage going into the second leg of the semi-final tie back in Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Meanwhile, the Islanders and Des Buckingham will have to return to the chalkboard after a night of squandered chances.
Once again Bengaluru catch the hosts on the break and it's three Bengaluru attackers against two defenders. Pablo Perez sets up Sunil Chhetri inside the box with all the time in the world. However, the Indian skipper's effort is punched away by Lachenpa. Chhetri could be left ruing the miss if the scoreline alters in the second leg.
Mumbai seemed to have finally found an opening in the opposition half. But Bengaluru win the ball quickly and sets off on a counter. Roy Krishna plays Chhetri through down the right side of the opposition half and with a defender on him, the talismanic forward goes for a quick shot. Phurba Lachenpa, however, is up to the task.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. No drama this time but still a lot of class. Sunil Chhetri nudges home a corner from Naorem Roshan Singh to give Bengaluru an unexpected lead and a massive boost in this tie!
Greg Stewart was posed with an opportunity to run at the opposition's defense, The Scotsman gets to the edge of the box and tries to send Jorge Diaz through on goal. But the pass is slightly overcooked and an onrushing Gurpreet Singh Sandhu is able to gobble up the ball.
Ahmed Jahouh delivers a signature inch-perfect corner and Jorge Diaz gets a free header, but puts it just wide of the goal.
The Islanders continue to pin down the BFC defense. Apuia and Greg Stewart both had chances in quick succession but couldn't break the deadlock. However, Bengaluru will soon need to up the ante.
Mumbai once again get into the opposition box before Bipin does well to set up Apuia down the middle of the pitch. However, the youngster's shot from outside the box flies skywards.
The visitors get us underway at the Mumbai Football Arena!
As a result of the walk-off, the Blues secured a berth in the semi-final and managed to extend their winning run to nine matches.
Meanwhile, the ISL League Shield winners suffered two consecutive defeats in their closing matches of the regular season. But those defeats came after a stretch of 18 games where they remained unbeaten and managed to secure their first piece of silverware this season.