Bengaluru FC produced a disciplined first-half performance to defeat Mohammedan Sporting Club 2-1 in the Indian Super League, ISL 2025-26 season at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan on Saturday.
Goals from Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan in the first half proved decisive for the visitors, while Mahitosh Roy pulled one back for Mohammedan Sporting after the break. The victory lifted Bengaluru FC to fifth place in the league standings with seven points, while Mohammedan Sporting remained without a point after four consecutive defeats in their debut ISL campaign.
Early Pressure from Bengaluru
Both teams entered the match looking to bounce back from defeats in their previous fixtures, prompting changes from both head coaches. Bengaluru FC coach Renedy Singh made three alterations to his lineup, introducing Rahul Bheke in defence, handing Uzbek midfielder Siroj Kuziev his debut and pairing Sunil Chhetri with Ryan Williams in attack.
Meanwhile, Mohammedan Sporting head coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo also reshuffled his starting XI, bringing in Lalmuanawma, Tangva Ragui and Israfil Dewan.
Bengaluru began the match aggressively, dominating possession and creating early chances. Sunil Chhetri came close three times within the opening ten minutes but was unable to find the target. Ryan Williams also looked lively down the flanks, constantly stretching the Mohammedan defence with his pace and movement.
Photo: Dipayan Bose /Focus Sports/ ISL
Bengaluru’s early pressure finally paid off in the 22nd minute.
A corner delivered by Siroj Kuziev created chaos in the Mohammedan penalty area. Chhetri rose to meet the ball with a header that took a deflection off Nikhil Poojary before falling kindly to Ryan Williams. The Australian turned Indian winger reacted quickly, tapping the ball home from close range to give Bengaluru a deserved 1-0 lead.
The goal further boosted the visitors’ confidence as they continued to push forward in search of a second.
Kuruniyan Doubles the Advantage
Bengaluru extended their lead in the 41st minute with another well-worked attacking move. This time Nikhil Poojary drove forward from the right flank and delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Mohammedan goalkeeper Padam Chettri managed to clear the initial threat, but the ball fell into the path of Ashique Kuruniyan.
Kuruniyan unleashed a powerful left-footed strike from outside the penalty area. The shot took a slight touch off the goalkeeper’s gloves before finding the back of the net. The goal gave Bengaluru a comfortable 2-0 lead heading into halftime, leaving Mohammedan Sporting with a mountain to climb.
Mohammedan Sporting came out with renewed energy in the second half. Coach Mehrajuddin Wadoo made two substitutions during the interval, bringing on Hira Mondal and Lalngaihsaka to inject fresh impetus into the team.
The changes quickly paid off. In the 51st minute, a cross from the right by Adison was initially cleared by Rahul Bheke. However, the ball fell perfectly for Mahitosh Roy just outside the box. Roy struck a precise right-footed effort that beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, reducing the deficit and reigniting hopes for the home crowd.
Gurpreet Produces Crucial Saves
Buoyed by the goal, Mohammedan Sporting increased the intensity of their attack. Young midfielder Thankima came close to equalising in the 65th minute, unleashing a powerful strike that beat Gurpreet but crashed against the crossbar. The home side continued to push forward in search of the equaliser.
With around five minutes remaining, Thankima tested Gurpreet again with a well-directed shot on target. However, the experienced Bengaluru goalkeeper produced a brilliant save to keep his side ahead. The save proved crucial in preserving Bengaluru’s narrow lead.
Late Drama in Stoppage Time
Mohammedan Sporting thought they had completed a dramatic comeback in the final moments of stoppage time. Following a scramble inside the penalty area, Fardeen managed to poke the ball into the net. However, celebrations were cut short as the referee had already blown the whistle for an infringement during the buildup, disallowing the goal.
The decision ensured Bengaluru held on for a vital victory.
Important Three Points for Bengaluru
The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 win for Bengaluru FC, giving Renedy Singh’s side a valuable three points away from home. The result keeps Bengaluru firmly in the race near the top half of the table as they continue their push for playoff contention.
For Mohammedan Sporting, however, the defeat extends a difficult start to the season. Despite showing signs of improvement in the second half, the Kolkata-based club remains without a point after four matches. While Bengaluru will take confidence from their attacking efficiency in the first half and Gurpreet’s heroics in goal, Mohammedan Sporting can draw positives from their spirited fightback.
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The ISL season is still in its early stages, and both teams will have opportunities to build on their performances in the coming fixtures. For Bengaluru FC, the challenge now will be to maintain consistency as they aim to climb higher in the standings.
For Mohammedan Sporting, the focus will be on turning encouraging moments into results as they continue their search for their first points in the league.
