ISL Final: Bengaluru FC 1-0 FC Goa - 5 Talking Points as BFC overcome 2017-18 disappointment to clinch ISL trophy

#5 Bengaluru FC buried their demons

Rahul Bheke was the Hero of the Match as he scored the solitary goal in the final

Bengaluru FC finished atop the Indian Super League standings last season only to lose the final to southern rivals Chennaiyin FC at their own backyard, Sree Kanteerava Stadium, in their debut campaign. This season, too, they finished as league leaders and were looking to ensure their choking in the final doesn’t become a trend.

When they lost 2-1 to NorthEast United FC on the road in the first leg of the semi-finals, not many expected them to go all the way. It didn’t help that they were locking horns with everyone’s second team and the underdogs in NorthEast. They overcame their first-leg deficit under controversial circumstances to book their place in the final against FC Goa, yet another team neutrals have always rooted for.

With Goa thrashing third-placed Mumbai City FC 5-2 over two legs to reach the final, many tagged them favourites. Bengaluru, however, managed to overcome their demons as Mumbai-born Rahul Bheke scored a header past hapless Naveen Kumar to crown them the champions in only their second season in the competition.