The Islanders lost to a set-piece goal from Sunil Chhetri in the second half, when the Bengaluru FC forward headed home from a corner to hand the Blues a victory. The two sides meet again in Bengaluru on Sunday for a place in the final of the ISL.
Sunil Chhetri came on as a substitute and found the back of the net in the 78th minute to give the Blues a vital advantage ahead of the second leg in Bengaluru on Sunday.
Bengaluru FC defeated Kerala Blasters 1-0 in extra time in the first knockout fixture to make it into the semi-finals. Interestingly, it was the Blues who inflicted the first defeat of the season on Mumbai City FC subsequent to their Shield triumph after going 18 games unbeaten.
The fixture promises to be a spectacle, with two of the most in-form teams of the league going head to head. Mumbai City FC clinched the League Winners' Shield, while Bengaluru FC are only unbeaten team in 2023 and are on a record nine-match winning streak.
The League Shield winners concluded the league stage with two back-to-back defeats, including one against Bengaluru FC, and will look to end the visitors' nine-game winning streak to carry an advantage to the second leg on Sunday
Looking ahead to the semifinals, head coach Des Buckingham spoke about how the squad is gearing up for a knockout clash after they finished top of the table at the end of the ISL League Stage.
The first half produced a great tactical battle from both teams, but the Blues slowly took charge of the proceedings in the second half. Sunil Chhetri opened the scoring for the Blues in the 57th minute with a free header off a corner kick.
Morale is high for a Bengaluru FC side that extended their winning streak in the ISL to six games this past weekend, their longest-ever streak. A much-needed victory against arch-rivals Kerala Blasters FC handed the Blues the bragging rights and lofted them back up into the playoff spots.
The Islanders broke records for most goals scored and most points accumulated in a single ISL season to extend their unbeaten run to 18 matches, also an all-time league record with the triumph in Goa and the Englishman expressed gratitude towards everyone at the club who made this feat possi
The Islanders have a seven-point lead over the defending ISL champions at the top of the table with a game ahead and will look to march further towards clinching the ISL League Winners Shield without leaving it too late.