Last Update: March 04, 2023, 15:32 IST
ISL: Sunil Chhetri of Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters (FSDL)
The players and coach of Kerala Blasters walked off the pitch in protest against a ‘controversial goal’ that propelled Bengaluru FC into the semi-finals of the Indian Super League.
There was huge controversy after Kerala Blasters decided to walk off the pitch in protest against the controversial Sunil Chhetri strike and skip their all-important ISL play-off clash against Bengaluru FC.
“I have never seen in my 22 years of career. I always ask the ref. It was a bitter sweet moment. But I am happy that we have reached the semi-finals.”
Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson felt that his side deserved to win.
“It’s not the way we wanted to approach the semi-final, it’s obviously marred by all the controversy and we all know what happened. We got the free-kick and Sunil (Chhetri) said he had to Don’t want a wall, they don’t need ten yards, and the referee said there is no problem. Sunil waited for (Adrian) Luna to move out of the way and then put it into the top corner,” Grayson said in the match. said at the subsequent press conference.
“It’s the most frustrating thing for me in the last seven or eight weeks because that’s how the game ended. We would have been very happy if we had won the game with the normal process of winning. I’m glad we went through But, as I said, our performance guaranteed the win, and it’s just another tick for this football club to win nine games, something needs to be done,” said Grayson.
After a goalless stalemate during regulation time at the Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru FC took the lead in the 97th minute when the Indian captain converted a free-kick.
But the strike led to a full play as the Adrian Luna-led side protested referee Crystal John’s decision to declare it a legal goal, also claiming that he did not blow the whistle before Chhetri took the kick and the players were ready. were not ,
This was followed by an unprecedented walk-out, a first in the ISL where Serbian coach Ivan Vukomanovic called back his players. Luna was seen taking off her captain’s arm-band and her comrades followed their captain.
By virtue of their extra-time lead, Bengaluru FC were declared winners as they travel to the Mumbai City Arena for the semi-finals on Tuesday.
Read this also | Bengaluru FC won 1-0 after Kerala Blasters were pulled out of the match
The forfeiture and walk out cost the Blasters dearly as they could face heavy sanctions from league officials.
Such an instance was first seen during the Kolkata derby in I-League 2012 when Mohun Bagan walked off the field and refused to leave the field in the second half after spectators threw stones at their winger Syed Rahim Nabi from the East Bengal Stand. Had given.
(with inputs from agencies)
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