Bengaluru, February 15 N Sivasakthi and Sunil Chhetri scored in each half as Bengaluru FC started their 2025-26 Indian Super League season with a convincing 2-0 victory over Sporting Club Delhi at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Sunday.
The hosts started strongly, with Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan coming close to scoring in the first five minutes. Williams won the ball off Babovic in Delhi's half, and with a strong run towards the box, hit a low shot from outside that just missed the post.
In the next minute, Nikhil Poojary floated in a lovely cross from the right, which was met by Ashique at the far post. SC Delhi goalkeeper Vishal Yadav reacted quickly and cleared the ball.
Bengaluru had the majority of possession, but were not putting Vishal Yadav under pressure in goal. On the other end, Aimen showed his skills when he got space, but could not create much.
Augustine Lalrochana tested Gurpreet in the final minutes of the first half with a low shot after being found by a brilliant through ball by Azhar. The forward, who made a good run, went through on goal and tried his luck, but Gurpreet saved it well.
Bengaluru eventually took the lead just before half-time. Roshan, from the middle of the pitch, floated the ball towards Poojary, who had made a run into the box. The defender laid it off to Sivasakthi with a cushioned header in front of the goal, and the forward easily tapped the ball past the goalkeeper.
Bengaluru FC continued to press in the opening minutes of the second half. Braian Sánchez produced a lovely turn to set himself up for a shot from the edge of the box. His shot was well-saved by Vishal Yadav, who pushed the ball away and kept Bengaluru's deficit to one.
Bengaluru took control of the game, scoring the second goal through Chhetri. The hosts caught their opponents on the counter-attack as Vinith Venkatesh got the ball in the middle of the pitch, which was played forward to an unmarked Chhetri.
Vishal Yadav came off his line to try and clear the ball, but Chhetri produced a clever flick. With the goal completely open, he attempted a left-footer from 30 yards out. The ball hit the upright before going into the net, giving Bengaluru some insurance.
