BANGALORE (India): Juanan Gonzalez scored the only goal as Bengaluru FC beat Odisha FC in Indian Super League on Wednesday.
The victory put Carles Cuadart’s men on the top. The win also meant that Bengaluru have now stretched their unbeaten run in this season to seven games.
What began as a cagey affair came to life in the second half after the hosts rejigged their strategies, but a stubborn show between the sticks from Gurpreet Singh Sandhu saw the blues keep their fifth clean sheet of the campaign.
Odisha’s intent to let Bengaluru dictate the opening half while looking to catch them on the counter was evident.
Josep Gombau’s men did come close to making the ploy count when they began a move from a Bengaluru freekick in the 15th minute only for Gurpreet to deny Nandhakumar.
Bengaluru has a chance to open the account after Udanta cut the ball back to Sunil Chhetri, but he was denied by a timely intervention by Diawandou Diagne.
Odisha had their moment to claw back into the game ten minutes into the second half, but Gurpreet’s brilliance denied them.
The hosts had to defend one when Chhetri and then Augusto saw their goal-bound shots kept out.
Erik Paartalu got in on the act but saw his effort kept out by Odisha ’keeper Arshdeep Singh after the Australian found himself in space in the box.
