Indian Super League (ISL) side Bengaluru FC secured a commanding 4-0 victory over the Indian Navy in their Durand Cup 2024 opener at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Debutant Jorge Pereyra Diaz scored twice, while Captain Sunil Chhetri and Rahul Bheke, who made his return to the Blues, also found the back of the net for Gerard Zaragoza's side.

Bengaluru FC started the match on the front foot, taking control from the outset. Sivasakthi Narayanan had the first real opportunity in the 9th minute, but the Navy goalkeeper denied the Indian forward with an outstretched leg. However, the Indian Navy couldn't hold on for long as Bheke nodded home the opening goal from a Naorem Roshan corner in the next minute.

Two minutes later, Narayanan had another golden opportunity to double the lead, but he missed the empty net after Ryan Williams cut it back for him. Narayanan then hit the crossbar with another opportunity in the next minute.

The Indian Navy were reduced to ten men after Navjot brought down Williams in the penalty box in the 39th minute, and substitute Chhetri made no mistake from the spot.

Bengaluru FC maintained their attacking pressure in the second half, but two heroic saves from Navy goalkeeper Vishnu in quick succession denied the Blues.

Vishnu made another terrific save to deny Pereyra Diaz his opening goal in the 79th minute, but the Spaniard eventually got his first goal in the Blues' shirt from the resulting corner. Diaz completed his brace with a neat finish, rounding off a brilliant through pass from Alberto Noguera as the Blues ended the game with four goals to their name.

Bengaluru FC will next take on Inter Kashi on August 3 at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata.

Chennaiyin FC go down to the Indian Army

In the earlier fixture of the day, Chennaiyin FC suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to the Indian Army in their Durand Cup 2024 match at the JRD Tata Sports Complex Stadium in Jamshedpur on Wednesday. Liton Shil’s wonder strike from distance in the 42nd minute was the decisive moment of the match.

Assistant coach Noel Wilson named a youthful starting line-up for Chennaiyin FC’s opening game, handing the captain’s duties to 20-year-old Bikash Yumnam. Ahead of goalkeeper Samik Mitra, Bikash partnered with YV Praful Kumar in central defence, while winger-turned-fullback Alexander Romario Jesuraj and Sachu Siby flanked the pair.

Ngangom Raman Singh sat deep with Ganeshpandi S in central midfield, screening the backline. Further ahead, Komal Thatal and Vincy Barretto hugged the touchline as wide attackers. Meanwhile, Irfan Yadwad led the line, with youngster Lalpekhlua dovetailing the lone forward.

The first half was more about Chennaiyin FC’s defensive mettle than their attacking prowess. The Marina Machans defended against the Indian Army’s gritty physicality and neat passing, pressing aggressively when triggered but retaining shape when bypassed. Additionally, when the opponents did work the ball through to their forwards, custodian Mitra was on hand to thwart them.

Mitra was called into action twice in the first half; both times, the Chennaiyin goalkeeper stood tall to parry a shot away from Indian Army striker Shil. However, there was nothing the 23-year-old could do to prevent Shil’s thunderbolt from punching the top corner in the 42nd minute.

Meanwhile, Chennaiyin FC’s best chance of the first half fell to Yadwad, who used his quick feet and rapid strides to create space for himself twice. Both times, though, his subsequent shot at goal met a strong hand from the opposing keeper.

Mitra continued his fine performance on the other side of the break, preventing Shafeel PP from extending the Indian Army’s lead with his fingertips. As the half wore on, two quick chances fell the Marina Machans way past the hour mark, first to Yadwad, whose shot from a tight angle just missed the post, and then to substitute Vishal R, who glanced a header narrowly wide of the goal.

Later, both Jesuraj and Barretto tested their luck but couldn’t score the elusive equalising goal. Chennaiyin FC will look to bounce back quickly from the loss when they take on Jamshedpur FC on August 4 in their second group game.

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Bengaluru FCChennaiyin FC2023-2024