The legendary Chhetri etched his title within the Indian Super League (ISL) report books on Saturday, turning into the oldest participant to attain a hat-trick within the league’s historical past as he powered Bengaluru FC to a commanding 4-2 victory over Kerala Blasters. At 40 years and 126 days, Chhetri grew to become the oldest hat-trick scorer within the ISL historical past, surpassing Bartholomew Ogbeche who did it for Hyderabad FC towards FC Goa at 38 years and 96 days outdated in January 2023. The former India captain, who retired. from worldwide football earlier this 12 months, struck within the eighth, 73rd and 90 8 minutes, whereas Ryan Williams scored the opposite purpose for the Blues within the thirty eighth minute.
Jesus Jimenez (56th) and Freddy Lallawmawma (67th) have been the purpose scorers for Kerala Blasters.
Bengaluru FC have been scientific in changing the restricted alternatives that they created, as 4 of their 5 pictures on course resulted in objectives.
The duo of Chhetri and Williams have been vital in serving to the Blues take a 2–0 benefit within the first-half of the sport.
The residence aspect have been urgent ahead from the onset, exploring a bunch of alternatives to seek out the again of the web.
Williams was central in that endeavour, driving to the flank with the ball earlier than lobbing in a exact cross for Chhetri within the eighth minute. The striker timed his run to perfection and thundered within the help to interrupt the impasse.
From supplier, Williams turned the scorer within the thirty eighth minute. Operating within the remaining third, Williams obtained a cross from Edgar Mendez on the fringe of the field on the proper aspect. Instead of enjoying a brief cross ahead, Williams curled in a wonderful shot into the highest left nook so as to add one other purpose to his aspect’s tally.
Kerala Blasters entered the second half of the match with arguably larger depth, taking the sport to the opposition.
Noah Sadaoui performed a key function in that, organising an help for Jesus Jimenez within the 56th minute. Jimenez’s left footed effort discovered its approach into the middle of the purpose to chop the deficit.
With momentum swinging of their favour, Kerala Blasters equalized within the 67th minute. Freddy Lallawmawma’s distinctive aerial talents got here to the fore as he scored from an Adrian Luna’s cross following a nook.
Bengaluru FC instantly bought collectively and their seasoned frontline took the lead in that. Six minutes later, Jorge Pereyra Diaz and Chhetri interlinked within the attacking half, because the Argentine orchestrated the purpose together with his correct cross from a quick break, selecting the latter on the middle of the field. Chhetri deposited the ball into the underside left nook.
To his credit score, Chhetri saved discovering himself in goal-scoring alternatives and that was constant proper till the tip of the sport.
In the added time of the second half, Chinglensana Singh turned to Chhetri following a set piece state of affairs and the striker was completely positioned in the midst of the 18-yard space. His ending finesse was seen once more, as he slotted the ball into the underside left nook to finish a treble of objectives.
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