Chhetri, Poojary and Jovanovic reflect on Bengaluru FC’s thrilling win over Kerala Blasters FC
Sunil Chhetri Nikhil Poojary and Aleksandar Jovanovic shared their thoughts after Bengaluru FC's victory in the Southern Rivarly
Bengaluru FC registered a thrilling 4-2 win over Kerala Blasters FC in the Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday.
Sunil Chhetri and Ryan Williams’ combined efforts gave the Blues a 2-0 lead in the first half. The Blasters equalised in the second half with goals from Jesus Jiminez and Freddy Lallawmawma but Chhetri proved to be an unstoppable force for the Blues as he scored two more goals, becoming the oldest hat trick scorer in ISL history.
With this win, the Blues not only got back on the winning track but also completed the double over Kerala Blasters FC in the league stage this season, having registered a 3-1 win in Kochi earlier in October.
Chhetri, who steered Bengaluru FC to a well-earned comeback with a brace in the second half was the star of the show, deservedly earning the Player of the Match award.
Speaking to indiansuperleague.com after the game, he said, “I think right now the feeling that I have will end and I enjoy every bit of it. I try to give whatever I have so whenever it does end I do not have any regrets that is the driving force right now.”
The skipper also had huge praise for the fan support for the Blues.
“Amazing.. especially when we were at 2-2 you could hear them backing us, cheering us, that was one of the reasons why we came back,” he said.
We are not worthy.#WeAreBFC #BFCKBFC #ನೀಲಿಎಂದೆಂದಿಗೂ pic.twitter.com/h06nDDT1ne
— Bengaluru FC (@bengalurufc) December 7, 2024
Defender Nikhil Poojary shared similar views after returning to the lineup, having missed the previous 4-2 defeat against Odisha FC in Bhubaneswar.
“(It was) lovely. Every time we play, the support we get makes a difference.. after the draw (when Kerala Blasters FC equalised), it was their voice that motivated us to get the comeback,” he revealed.
Fellow defender Aleksandar Jovanovic said, “We started on the front foot, We brought more energy, especially in the first half. We scored two great goals and in the second half we started out a bit slower and Kerala Blasters FC started to get the upper hand but in the end, we kept pushing and came out the winner.”
Speaking of Chhetri who proved to be the maestro on the field for the Blues and as a captain who stepped up for the team, he said, “Sunil... He is not 40, he is 18 and a half. He just keeps producing wonders which is absolutely incredible to see and you know he can keep playing for another 10 years.”
