ISL 2022-23: Javi Hernandez brace ends Bengaluru FC's winless run as they beat FC Goa 2-0

R. Parthibhan/Focus Sports/ ISL

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A Javi Hernandez brace ended Bengaluru FC's five-match winless and four-match goalless run as they picked up a 2-0 win against FC Goa in the Indian Super League (ISL) at Fatorda on Saturday. The Blues also nabbed their first clean sheet since their season opener as they handed the Gaurs their first home defeat of the season.

Both sides made a couple of changes to their lineups. Goa midfielder Edu Bedia found himself on the bench as Princeton Rebello took his place in the starting XI. The other change for the hosts saw Noah Sadaoui starting as Redeem Tlang dropped to the bench. Alan Costa and Bruno Ramires were dropped to the bench for Bengaluru FC as Aleksandar Jovanovic and Prabir Das started the game.

In the opening couple of minutes, Goa pushed forward with Alvaro Vazquez, who sprinted into the box and got his shot away from a tight angle. The on-target effort was collected comfortably by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who had his near post covered.

Javi Hernandez broke the deadlock and ended the Blues' goal drought in the 27th minute. Anwar Ali was closed down by Roy Krishna as he brought the ball out defence - the Fijian then put Hernandez through on goal and the Spaniard calmly slotted it past Dheeraj Singh to give the Blues their first goal since Krishna's goal against Chennaiyin in their second game of the season.

In the 37th minute, Gurpreet was at full stretch to push Vazquez's free-kick away to safety. At the other end, in first-half stoppage time, Dheeraj came darting out of the box towards the right flank and took Krishna out. The Goa shot-stopper only saw a yellow card for his foul on the Fijian striker.

In the second half, Goa started on the front foot. However, it was Bengaluru who doubled their advantage in the 57th minute. As the Gaurs swarmed forward, the Blues broke on the counter with Udanta Singh, who dinked it through to Hernandez. The Spaniard entered the box, rounded Dheeraj, and calmly slotted the ball into an empty net.

Ten minutes from time, Krishna received a long ball from defence and tried to chip it over the keeper. The ball sailed over the keeper and was inches away from the far post. At the other end, in the next minute, Ali rocketed one towards the top-left corner of goal. Gurpreet produced a wonder save to keep Bengaluru's clean sheet intact and give them a much-needed three points. .