ISL 2024-25: Second-half comeback extends Bengaluru FC’s unbeaten home run after 2-2 draw against FC Goa

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Bengaluru FC extended their unbeaten run at home in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2024-25 after a late comeback helped clinch a 2-2 against FC Goa at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday (December 14).

Super-sub Jorge Pereyra Díaz's late strike saw The Blues earn a point as they continued to remain undefeated on their home turf. After seven matches at home this season, Bengaluru FC has won five and drawn two. The draw against FC Goa also saw them remain temporarily on top of the ISL points table.

For the initial 10 minutes, FC Goa attempted to set the tone for the match. They pressed high up, recovered possession, and earned set-pieces to assert their blueprint in the game.

One such free-kick came their way in the seventh minute, when Dejan Drazic launched in a looping delivery from the right end of the field. Sandesh Jhingan, surrounded by a host of Bengaluru FC players, showed tremendous aerial ability to jump and head the ball into the bottom left corner from the centre of the box to open the scoring.

However, Bengaluru FC soon gained control over the game and began orchestrating the proceedings. The Blues' offence was spearheaded by Sunil Chhetri, and high on confidence, the striker pulled off an ambitious attempt at goal from a fair distance outside of the box in the 14th minute.

The precision on the shot was praiseworthy as it was directed straight at the bottom left corner before it was stopped by FC Goa custodian Hrithik Tiwari. The Blues didn't let loose of this momentum though, as gradually, their entire frontline began working in tandem to break FC Goa's defence.

An attacking endeavour unfolded in the 28th minute that saw the home side move ahead and midfielder Suresh Singh showed impressive awareness to make a headed pass for Édgar Méndez, which was hit straight at Tiwari from the outside of the box.

Bengaluru FC kept trying their luck from distance, as it was Ryan Williams' turn five minutes later to make a similar attempt off a pass by Chhetri, which again lacked the finesse to disturb the FC Goa goalkeeper's resilience.

The duo of Williams and Chhetri have developed a fine understanding this season, with the former's timely crosses being met by the striker inside the box regularly. The home team encountered an opportunity to equalise in the 56th minute as Chhetri headed a similar delivery by Williams from the left side of the six-yard box, but it missed hitting target by a whisker.

Interestingly, despite Bengaluru FC's repeated efforts to trouble FC Goa from distance, it was Sahil Tavora who notched a strike from outside of the box in the 66th minute to double the Gaurs' lead. He pulled off a peach of a strike that landed straight into the top right corner and caught the Bengaluru FC backline off guard.

The goal was a culmination of a brief passage where the visitors pushed against the run of play to create opportunities upfront. The Blues quickly struck back, as Williams cut the deficit in the 71st minute with a brilliant finish off a through ball by Vinith Venkatesh, who came on as a substitute for Harsh Patre in the 57th minute.

Venkatesh made his presence felt by slicing through the FC Goa backline with a perfectly weighted delivery for Williams at the centre of the box, which was then netted into the centre of the goal by the latter.

Jorge Pereyra Diaz too came off the bench for Bengaluru FC in the 57th minute, replacing Méndez. His introduction added firepower in the final third for the home side, and the move paid off when he slotted home a timely pass by Roshan Singh in the 83rd minute to draw the scores level.

Positioned right in the middle of the FC Goa box, Diaz broke no sweat in converting the opportunity, showcasing Bengaluru FC's laudable squad depth too.

Source: ISL Media Release