Chhetri stars as Bengaluru down Mohammedan Sporting

A third consecutive brace from India captain Sunil Chhetri inspired Bengaluru FC to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Mohammedan Sporting in a Round 14 clash of the Airtel I-League at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

John Menyongar put Bengaluru ahead in the 21st minute but Mohammedan drew level through Josimar just before the interval (45+1).

Chhetri restored Bengaluru’s lead in the 48th minute before Josimar again restored parity in the 57th minute to set up a thrilling final half hour.

However, Chhetri ensured a fourth straight win for his club by finding the net for the second time in the 71st minute as the league leaders swelled their points tally to 27 from 13 matches.

Mohammedan Sporting remain tenth with 13 points from 12 outings.

Meanwhile, Pune FC blew off a two-goal lead as they went down 2-3 to Rangdajied United in another Round 14 encounter at the Jawharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.

Goals from striker Riga Mustapha (23rd minute) and defender Gurjinder Kumar (34th) out Pune FC in command going into half-time.

But striker Edmar Figueira (61st) pulled one back for the hosts at the hour mark, before injury time strikes from striker Kim Song Young (90+3rd) and substitute Lalnunpuia (90+4th) handed Pune FC their second straight defeat.

The defeat was Pune FC’s third defeat in the season and they now slip down to fifth place with 19 points. The hosts stay 12th with 11 points.

Image: India Skipper Sunil Chhetri (right) celebrates with Bengaluru FC players

Photograph: AIFF Media