Kochi: Captain Sunil Chhetri's second-half penalty and a brace by Venezuelan forward Miku in injury time helped Bengaluru FC (BFC) score a 3-1 win over Kerala Blasters in a high-profile Indian Super League (ISL) match here on Sunday.
Blasters captain Sandesh Jihngan accidentally brushed the ball with his hand while attempting to clear a cross by Chhetri and the referee immediately pointed to the penalty spot on the hour mark. Chhetri, who till then had been denied by Blasters goalkeeper Subhasish Roy, made no mistake from the penalty spot to draw first blood.
Iain Hume missed the mark narrowly in the 71st off a free-kick much to the disappointment of the Blasters fans who thronged the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on the New Year's Eve.
Blasters had scored a last-gasp equalizer against Chennaiyin FC in their last game, but it was not to be Sunday night.
Miku's twin strikes in injury time past Blasters' first-choice custodian Paul Rachubka wrapped up the tie before Courage Pekuson scored a consolation goal. This was the first defeat at home for Blasters this season.
Blasters remain in the eighth spot with seven points from as many matches, while BFC moved up to third place with the win. The debutants have 15 points from eight games.
Blasters next meet FC Pune City in Kochi on Thursday.
Vineeth's absence
Earlier, Blasters suffered a big blow as C K Vineeth missed the big game against his former club with an injury. Hume, who started the match in the absence of Vineeth, was in the thick of action in the early moments of the game. The Canadian was thwarted by BFC goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu off a cross by Lalruatthara in the opening minute.
Couple of minutes later Hume was brought down, but the resultant free-kick was easily gathered by Sandhu.
Blasters had a narrow escape soon as Miku headed straight at Roy off a free-kick by Edu Garcia.
Peksuon made spirited run and found Mark Sifneos on the edge of the BFC box in the tenth minute, but the Dutch striker failed to connect properly.
Miku's long-ranger was comfortably collected by Roy in the 14th minute. Soon Blasters had a scare as Hume was left bleeding after a collision with Rahul Bheke.
BFC defender Juanan was booked for bringing down Jackichand Singh in the 18th. The resultant free-kick was blasted over by Sifneos even as Hume returned to the field soon after taping his head.
Costly miss
Blasters squandered a golden chance in the 27th as Sifneos' attempted volley, after being picked out by Wes Brown, hit his left hand.
Chhetri sprinted down the middle and his powerful shot was parried away by Roy in the 35th. Erik Paartalu's header off the resultant flag-kick was pouched by Roy.
Roy, who was brought into the side in place of Englishman Rachubka, was kept busy as he pulled off a diving save to deny Edu Garica off a free-kick in the 43rd.