Football

Gerard Zaragoza hails Bengaluru FC after club qualifies for ISL finals despite injury woes

Bengaluru FC head coach Gerard Zaragoza was delighted after Bengaluru FC qualified for the final of the Indian Super League on Sunday. The Blues registered a 3-2 win on aggregate against FC Goa to make it to the summit clash of the tournament.

After a goalless first half in the second-leg semifinal at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Goa, Borja Herrera scored for the Gaurs in the 49th minute. When it looked that Bengaluru FC will qualify for the final, there was a twist in the tale as Armando Sadiku scored in the 88th minute to equalize the aggregate score.

However, Bengaluru FC’s veteran Sunil Chhetri scored the winning goal with a header in the 92nd minute to help his team seal their final berth.

Zaragoza noted that crucial players like Alberto Noguera, Suresh Singh, and Rahul Bheke were carrying injuries but they were able to get a positive result.

“The first half was exactly like what we expected. They (FC Goa) wanted to enter the game, and then we tried to control everything. They did crosses and shots, but nothing special. We wanted to finish the first half like this, 0-0, or at least score one goal. I think the first goal of them arrived too early, and that provoked us to defend, defend, defend,” Zaragoza said in the post-match press conference.

“We really have a lot of players who are tired or injured. We had, in this case, Ryan (Williams) on the bench. Also, if it was a normal game, Noguera was not playing. But it’s a game that he needs to play. We had Suresh with an injury, and Rahul (Bheke) also had a little bit of an injury. But when you have players like Ryan Williams and Sunil Chhetri, you can change them, put them in the second half, and kill the game at that moment. They kill the game, and as a coach, it’s amazing,” he added.

The Spanish football manager showered praise on Sunil Chhetri for scoring the decisive goal and making the most of his experience.

Speaking in context, Zaragoza said, “Football is about this. It’s about these inches, to be at the right moment in the right second, and Sunil Chettri is like this.

“For that, we have him; we have these amazing foreigners. For us, we have this amazing defensive Indian line and the best goalkeeper in India.”

Bengaluru FC will either face Mohun Bagan Super Giant or Jamshedpur FC in the finale on Saturday.

About the Author


Written by DafaNews

DafaNews brings you the most highlighted news in the world of Sports. It serves you up-to-date matches, scores, live streams, fantasy games and quizzes. Our news covers India's prestigious leagues and events – Premier League, Pro Kabbadi League, Cricket World Cup and many more. Follow DafaNews on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter,Telegram and Youtube for more updates.

Related Post
Share
Published by
DafaNews

Recent Posts

Harbhajan Singh suggests India’s playing 11 changes after ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test

Former Indian off-spinner Harbhajan Singh has backed Kuldeep Yadav’s selection in the second Test match… Read More

June 25, 2025

Sunil Gavaskar suggests India’s playing 11 changes after loss in ENG vs IND 2025 1st Test, backs Kuldeep Yadav to replace Shardul Thakur

Legendary Sunil Gavaskar wants Kuldeep Yadav to be included in the second Test playing XI… Read More

June 25, 2025

Navjot Singh Sidhu backs Arshdeep Singh and Kuldeep Yadav for 2nd Test against England

Former Indian opener Navjot Singh Sidhu believes India should make changes to their bowling line-up… Read More

June 25, 2025

Tyrese Haliburton on playing with calf strain: ‘I’d do it again’

Indiana Pacers talisman Tyrese Haliburton has no regrets on playing with calf strain in the… Read More

June 25, 2025

Luka Modric agrees to sign for AC Milan after Club World Cup

Croatian veteran midfielder Luka Madrid has agreed to sign with Italian giants AC Milan after… Read More

June 25, 2025

Andy Roddick says beating Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final launched Rafael Nadal into an all-time great

Former World No.1 Andy Roddick said beating Roger Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final catapulted… Read More

June 25, 2025