WATCH: Sunil Chhetri Controversial Goal in ISL 2022/23 Playoffs

The league stage is done and dusted in the 2022/23 Indian Super League and the playoffs are currently underway. The longest Hero ISL season ever, it’s now time for teams to reap the benefits of all the efforts they’ve put in right through the season. And yesterday, we saw a special moment in the ISL 2022/23 playoffs game of Bengaluru FC vs Kerala Blasters.

During the league stage, a draw in 90 minutes meant shared points but yesterday, the game went into extra time after Bengaluru and Kerala were 0-0 after the full-time whistle. Both teams were looking for a moment of brilliance and this was delivered by the Bengaluru captain and Indian football poster boy Sunil Chhetri, a few minutes into the first half of extra time.

Sunil Chhetri scores controversial goal in ISL playoff

In the 96th minute of the game, there was a moment when a foul was called against Kerala Blasters and instead of the usual play of taking time and kicking the ball for the free kick, Chhetri decided to take the shot immediately, while none of the Kerala players were in position, including the goal-keeper. And luckily for Chhetri and Bengaluru FC, the ball went straight into the net.

The official scoreline went 1-0 up immediately in favour of the Bengaluru ISL franchise but the opposition team all went up in protest. In fact, the coach called the team off the field in protest. Regardless, the goal was given as the referee is said to have blown the whistle and what Chhetri did wasn’t illegal in terms of football rules.

Bengaluru FC team owner Parth Jindal was upset with the fan Kerala behaved and he took to Twitter, saying, “Are you serious @KeralaBlasters – is this how you want this game and our league and Indian football to be depicted globally? Is this how you want all your thousands of fans to remember this team and this manager? This is a disgrace – congratulations to @bengalurufc – semis!”

Are you serious @KeralaBlasters – is this how you want this game and our league and Indian football to be depicted globally? Is this how you want all your thousands of fans to remember this team and this manager? This is a disgrace – congratulations to @bengalurufc – semis!
— Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) March 3, 2023

Quite a few thousands of football fans reacted the same way after the lack of sportsmanship shown by Kerala Blasters. However, there were a few others who believed what Chhetri did shouldn’t have been allowed, as the opponents weren’t ready for the free kick. This Sunil Chhetri controversial goal will surely be spoken about for months to come but for now, Kerala Blasters had to return home from ISL 2022/23.

If you look at the statistics in this game, Kerala was ahead through most of the game, leading in terms of passes completed and number of complete passes, also holding a huge advantage in possession too. But this moment of brilliance, genius, and presence of mind from Chhetri took them ahead in the 96th minute, showing us why he’s been one of India’s best over the years. See the goal here:

A cheeky free-kick by @chetrisunil11 earned him the Hero of the Match for #BFCKBFC! 👊🔵#HeroISL #HeroISLPlayoffs #LetsFootball #BengaluruFC #SunilChhetri pic.twitter.com/G5VprhaWww
— Indian Super League (@IndSuperLeague) March 3, 2023