The legendary Chhetri etched his title within the Indian Super League (ISL) document 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ISL historical past, surpassing Bartholomew Ogbeche who did it for Hyderabad FC towards FC Goa at 38 years and 96 days outdated in January 2023.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 soccer earlier this 12 months, struck within the eighth, 73rd and 90 8 minutes, whereas Ryan Williams scored the opposite aim for the Blues within the thirty eighth minute.
Jesus Jimenez (56th) and Freddy Lallawmawma (67th) had been the aim scorers for Kerala Blasters.
Bengaluru FC had been scientific in changing the restricted alternatives that they created, as 4 of their 5 photographs on course resulted in targets.
The duo of Chhetri and Williams had been essential in serving to the Blues take a 2-0 benefit within the first-half of the sport.
The dwelling facet had been urgent ahead from the onset, exploring a bunch of alternatives to search out the again of the online.
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 closing third, Williams obtained a move from Edgar Mendez on the fringe of the field on the correct facet. Instead of taking part in a brief move ahead, Williams curled in a wonderful shot into the highest left nook so as to add one other aim to his facet’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 position in that, establishing an help for Jesus Jimenez within the 56th minute. Jimenez’s left footed effort discovered its approach into the centre of the aim to chop the deficit.
With momentum swaying of their favour, Kerala Blasters equalised within the 67th minute. Freddy Lallawmawma’s distinctive aerial talents got here to the fore as he scored from a Adrian Luna’s cross following a nook.
Bengaluru FC instantly received 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 aim together with his correct move from a quick break, choosing the latter on the centre 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 top of the sport.
In the added time of the second half, Chinglensana Singh turned to Chhetri following a set piece situation and the striker was completely positioned in the course 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 targets.
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