January 12, Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India]: Mohammedan SC won their second game of the season on Saturday, defeating Bengaluru FC 1-0 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in the Indian Super League (ISL).

Mirjalol Kasimov’s late free kick clinched the victory for the visitors, as the Blues suffered their fourth defeat of the year. Even though Mohammedan SC only managed 34.2% of the possession and only attempted 10 crosses as opposed to Bengaluru FC’s 26, it was their second victory away from home.

The initial attempts inside the opposition’s box were made by Bengaluru FC. In the third minute, Alberto Noguera scored a right-footed goal from the center of the box after receiving a headed feed from Rahul Bheke as part of their first offensive attempt. According to an ISL news release, the Blues had set the groundwork for their offensive endeavors even if the attempt was thwarted.

Ten minutes later, Noguera crossed to Jorge Pereyra Diaz, but the striker headed it too high to the goal and off course. Diaz led another assault right away, setting up a ball for Ryan Williams, whose attempt was stopped in the middle of the goal.

Bengaluru FC was stretching the Mohammedan SC defense and making lateral passes from a greater range, but they were unable to convert.

Chinglensana Singh responded effectively to Noguera’s corner kick seven minutes before to halftime, but his headed effort went high and wide on the left side of the goal. Four minutes later, Williams put in another cross, this time for Rahul Bheke, who got it in the center of the box and headed it in the middle of the goal, but Mohammedan SC goalie Padam Chhetri saved it.

Alexis Gomez took over as Mohammedan SC’s leader at the start of the second essay. In the 49th minute, the visitors had their most obvious chance of the evening when his thundering attempt from outside the box crashed off the left post.

In the 56th minute, Zodingliana Ralte spotted Franca outside the box, where there was plenty of room. Franca took advantage of the situation and shot the ball ferociously, but Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stopped it in the upper center of the goal.

Shortly before the 70th minute, Diaz and Noguera teamed up to break through the Mohammedan SC’s defensive third. Noguera provided a simple ball that the striker was unable to put in the goal, and the Mohammedan SC backline worked together to stop it before it could.

Mirjalol Kasimov’s solo stroke of genius in the 88th minute was the catalyst for Mohammedan SC’s ultimate triumph. Franca earned the visitors a free kick in the attacking half as a result of his unrelenting efforts up front. In order to break the impasse and secure Mohammedan SC’s long-south second win, Kasimov took up the task and produced a peach of an attempt with his right foot to rattle the top left corner.

*Match’s Key Performer

Mohammed SC’s Mirjalol Kasimov

In addition to making one clearing, two crosses, and scoring the game-winning goal for his side, Kasimov completed 20 of his 26 attempted passes, tackling and intercepting three times apiece.

On January 15, Mohammedan SC will play Chennaiyin FC. On January 18, Bengaluru FC will take on Hyderabad FC in their next match. Bengaluru FC is in third position with eight victories, three draws, and four defeats, or 27 points, whereas Mohammedan is in second-last place with two wins, four draws, nine losses, and 10 points.

Short Scores

Mohammedan SC 1-0 Bengaluru FC (Mirjalol Kasimov 88′).