ISL 2018-19: Bengaluru FC 1-0 ATK – 5 Talking Points

#1 Time running out for Balwant

Balwant Singh missed a lot of chances in the game [Image: ISL]

This was the last match for ATK before the long international break starts for the Asian Cup from Monday. As a result, this was also the last match for Balwant Singh, who will now don the India colours.

But what a frustrating match he had endured against Bengaluru. In the second half, he got at least four clear-cut chances, all of them could’ve been used to score. Balwant would’ve turned hero had he utilised all of that.

Early in the second half, he got a good ball on the left side and had the angle to place a shot on goal. Rather, he opted for a cross and the chance got wasted. After a few minutes, he sprinted ahead before everyone to meet a brilliantly taken free-kick from Lanzarote but his strike went over the bar. This was a golden chance and even Coppell was seen shaking his head in disbelief after the miss.

Balwant was working hard on the pitch and tried to get a goal in every opportunity. He was caught offside six times. Perhaps luck was not with him.

He is among the 34 probables for the Asian Cup and will surely take the flight to UAE next month. But considering the form he is in (just one goal from 12 matches), it will be a difficult task for him to motivate himself before such a big tournament.