Crying foul: The Blasters gamers, led by the coach, exited the sector after Chhetri, left, scored off a free-kick in extra-time.
| Photo Credit: Okay. MURALI KUMAR
The first-ever Indian Super League knockout match didn’t deserve the end it obtained. Kerala Blasters, led by its coach Ivan Vukomanovic, walked off the pitch protesting an extra-time purpose scored by Bengaluru FC’s Sunil Chhetri, and thus ended up forfeiting the tie.
The 1-0 scoreline on the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Friday despatched BFC by means of to the semifinal the place it is going to face Mumbai City FC.
Game-changer: Sunil Chhetri’s strike put Bengaluru in entrance when Blasters determined to protest in probably the most undesirable manner.
| Photo Credit:
Okay. MURALI KUMAR
In the 97th minute, Chhetri took a free-kick early, even because the Blasters gamers have been making up their minds concerning the wall, and the ball soared into the unguarded internet, over goalie Prabhsukhan Singh Gill.
Even as the house devoted went into raptures, the miffed Blasters gamers selected to protest within the least fascinating manner. There have been parleys for about 20 minutes, earlier than the Match Commissioner handed BFC the sport.
“I told the referee that I neither wanted the whistle nor the wall,” stated Chhetri later. “He asked if I was sure and I said yes. I tried to hit it once and they [Blasters] blocked it. So I thought they knew what I was going to do. Then I was about to ask the referee for 10 yards space. But I got a small window and that was it.
“About what happened after that, I don’t want to comment. It’s their decision. My personal opinion is… I can understand the Kerala Blasters players’ feelings and disappointment. But I would not leave [the pitch]. Even if the club wants me to, I wouldn’t.”
It wasn’t as if Blasters had dominated the match and have been laborious executed by. But for the ultimate quarter-hour, the guests have been principally pedestrian, with Bengaluru’s Roy Krishna coming shut thrice within the opening 25 minutes alone. Near the hour mark, Prabhsukhan, diving to his proper, denied Suresh Wangjam what regarded a sure-shot purpose.
That Blasters held on to stretch the competition into extra-time was admirable, and with half-an-hour’s motion to observe, and potential penalties to return, the hundreds within the stands would have anticipated an thrilling end.
Instead, the night shall be remembered for the acrimony and resentment, and for being a nasty commercial for the game.
Source web site: www.thehindu.com
