Edger Mendez scores Bengaluru FC’s second goal against Kerala Blasters during an ISL match in Kochi on Friday. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat | Photo: THULASI KAKKAT
Substitute Edgar Mendes scored twice as Bengaluru FC beat Kerala Blasters 3-1 in the ISL at the Nehru Stadium on Friday night to end a two-year wait for a win in Kochi.
The alert Mendes, who came on shortly after the hour mark replacing Argentine Pereira Diaz, Bengaluru’s top scorer earlier, made the most of a mistake by goalkeeper Som Kumar for both his goals.
Mendes’ first strike came when Somme missed Noguera’s free-kick in the 73rd minute and Mendes, who was just behind him, tapped it in to give Bengaluru a 2-1 lead.
And just as the hosts were desperate for an equalizer in stoppage time, with almost the entire team focused on saving the game, came Mendes’ second goal. Accepting the suggestion provided by Mohamed Salah, Mendes raced forward and was thrilled to find Somme outside the box and slot home his second goal comfortably.
The match till then was a strong thriller. Diaz practically stole the ball from defender Pritam Kotal for the opening goal. He raced into the box and scored with a smart shot over goalkeeper Somme from the center of the box. But the Blasters equalized from the penalty spot late in the first half when Kwame Pepra was brought down in the box by Rahul Bheke. And Jesus Jimenez took a little stutter past goalkeeper Gurpreet Sandhu and found the back of the net with a fine shot.
The result: Kerala Blasters FC 1 (Jesus Jimenez 45+2) lost to Bengaluru FC 3 (Pereyra Diaz 9, Edgar Mendez 73 & 90+4).
Published – 26 Oct 2024 03:30 AM IST
