On Friday, Bengaluru FC became the first club to clinch the inaugural Hero Super Cup when they thrashed East Bengal 4-1 in the Final clash at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar. The Hero I-League giants took the initial lead thanks to Ansumana Kromah’s acrobatic strike, but their resolute defence could not thwart the Blues’ potent attack. While Rahul Bheke equalised for the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) side, Chhetri’s brace and Miku’s fantastic goal gifted them a comfortable win at Bengal’s expense.

Bengaluru did enter the Final fixture as the favourites, on account of the lethal form their attacking duo of Sunil Chhetri and Miku were displaying. But before entering the fixture, Bengal held the distinction of conceding only one goal while keeping two clean sheets out of the probable three. With Omegbemi Dudu’s last minute injury coming as a big blow to Khalid Jamil’s plans, Kromah stepped up to the challenge from the very first minute. He entered Bengaluru’s box from time and again in search of scoring opportunities, before eventually getting the opener.

However, Rahul Bheke’s equaliser, courtesy a powerful header from a corner kick, brought Bengaluru on level terms, before Samad Ali Mallick’s moment of madness reduced Bengal to 10-men. With 45 minutes still remaining on the clock and the score tied 1-1 at half-time, Bengal started the second period with intent, in an attempt to leave the setback behind. The Blues though held their ground and displayed determination and teamwork to lodge three more past Bengal. While Chhetri converted a penalty by sending the keeper the wrong way, Miku’s touch of class from the edge of the box earned them the double lead. To seal the deal, Chhetri rose the highest in injury-time to head the ball home and ensure they become the first champions of the competition.

Having quality players in the squad and a tactical genius like Albert Roca leading them through, the team, as well as the fans, were hoping against hope that the disappointment of the Hero ISL 2017-18 final does not repeat itself. Even after dominating the league phase, they ended up losing the title to Chennaiyin FC and were hell-bent on not doing the same while facing Bengal. Though the strike-partnership between Miku and Chhetri remain their biggest asset, the apprehension that remained in the camp was who would take the charge if these two stalwarts failed to fire. But the Blues seemed to have worked on this one supposed weakness of theirs, as it was fullback Bheke who scored their first.

In 2017-18, where they arguably hit their best form since their inception in 2013, the Blues managed to keep their unique record of winning a trophy every year intact after clinching the Hero Super Cup. As the nation was gifted with a slice of complete and entertaining football from Roca’s men this season, every football fan in the country will agree that if any club deserved to finish on a high, it were the Hero ISL debutants - Bengaluru FC.