Bengaluru FC Dominates Mumbai City FC with 5-0 Victory in ISL Playoffs
Bengaluru FC's Impressive Playoff Performance
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], March 30: In a stunning display, Bengaluru FC's head coach Gerard Zaragoza praised his team's performance after they secured a commanding 5-0 victory against Mumbai City FC in the Knockout 1 match of the Indian Super League (ISL) Playoffs on Saturday, according to the official ISL website.
This victory marks Bengaluru's largest playoff win, setting them up for a semi-final showdown with FC Goa. The team established a two-goal advantage by halftime, thanks to strikes from Suresh Singh Wangjam and Edgar Mendez. They continued their offensive momentum in the second half, with additional goals from Ryan Williams, Sunil Chhetri, and Jorge Pereyra Diaz, culminating in an exceptional team effort.
Zaragoza encouraged his players to relish the win while sharing insights into his tactical strategy against the Islanders. He stated, “We analyzed their previous match against us at home, anticipating they would replicate that approach. We implemented a 4-4-3 diamond formation to bolster our midfield, allowing Vinith (Venkatesh) and Suresh (Singh Wangjam) to support our full-backs and exploit spaces effectively. Our second half was strong, especially after they switched to a 3-4-3 formation. We adapted with Sunil (Chhetri) in a 4-3-3 setup. The players performed at an exceptional level, and we are in peak condition as we head into a busy schedule with games in quick succession. We must celebrate tonight and recover for the upcoming match against FC Goa,” he remarked during the post-match press conference.
This victory was particularly significant for Bengaluru FC, as it was their first win over Mumbai City FC this season, having previously drawn and lost to them. Earlier in the season, the Blues had a goalless draw at the Mumbai Football Arena and faced a defeat in their last home match against Petr Kratky's squad.
When asked about the significance of this win in his managerial career, Zaragoza expressed, “This ranks at the top, but I aspire for more. This isn’t sufficient. I want more fans to join us. I know the first-leg semi-final is on a Wednesday, but I want our supporters to enjoy it fully. My players need to rally behind them because we have two crucial matches ahead. It’s all or nothing; to reach the final, we must first overcome the challenge at Kanteerava.”
Suresh Singh Wangjam was named Player of the Match for his goal and assist, playing a crucial role in maintaining a clean sheet. Despite being substituted in the 65th minute, his defensive efforts and pressing were vital to the team's success. Zaragoza praised Wangjam and also acknowledged goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who made five key saves during the match.
“Suresh is exceptional. He will always be a part of my team due to his contributions behind the attack and his support for Sunil. His work ethic is remarkable. I also want to highlight that we kept a clean sheet, and Gurpreet (Singh Sandhu) was outstanding. Even though he wasn’t called up for the national team, he remained focused and determined to improve, showing up exactly when needed,” Zaragoza concluded.