Kolkata, March 7 (NationPress) In an intense encounter, first-half goals from Ryan Williams and Ashique Kuruniyan propelled Bengaluru FC to a 2-1 victory against Mohammedan Sporting Club in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2025-26, at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan (KBK) in Kolkata on Saturday. Mahitosh Roy managed to narrow the gap for the home team in the second half, but it proved insufficient.

This victory elevated The Blues to fifth place on the standings with seven points, while Mohammedan continued to seek their first points of the season following their fourth straight defeat.

Both teams entered the match looking to recover from prior losses, prompting Indian head coaches Renedy Singh of Bengaluru and Mehrajuddin Wadoo of Mohammedan Sporting to implement three changes each in their starting lineups.

Mohammedan opted to include Lalmuanawma at right back instead of Hira Mondal, with Tangva Ragui returning to midfield for Lalngaihsaka, and Israfil Dewan partnering with Adison up front, replacing Lalremsanga Fanai. Meanwhile, Renedy introduced seasoned Rahul Bheke in defense, gave Siroj Kuziev a debut in midfield, and paired star striker Sunil Chhetri with Ryan Williams, leaving Bungson, Suresh, and Sivasakthi on the bench.

Bengaluru asserted their dominance immediately after kickoff, launching a series of attacks that saw Chhetri miss the target three times within the opening ten minutes. Williams was highly active, especially on the right flank, but his breakthrough came from the left.

After being denied by the Mohammedan defense, Williams scored from close range following a corner taken by Kuziev, which Chhetri headed toward goal before it fortuitously deflected off Nikhil Poojary and into his path.

The second goal arrived from a right-side attack led by Poojary. While Mohammedan keeper Padam Chettri cleared the initial cross, the loose ball fell to Ashique, whose powerful left-footed shot from outside the box slipped past the keeper’s gloves.

Trailing 2-0 at halftime, Wadoo introduced Hira Mondal for Sajad Parray at left back and substituted Lalngaihsaka for Ragui.

These changes paid off quickly as the talented Adison delivered a cross from the right that Bheke initially headed away, but it fell to Mahitosh Roy, whose precise right-footed shot beat Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

As Mohammedan ramped up their efforts, two notable shots from Thankima came close to equalizing. The first, in the 65th minute, struck the crossbar, while the second attempt, 20 minutes later, was saved brilliantly by the experienced Gurpreet.

In the dying moments of added time, the hosts did score when Fardeen managed to poke the ball in from a scramble near the goal, but the referee called a foul beforehand, confirming a crucial win for the visitors.