ISL 2017/18: No one knows the 'magic number' to qualify for semis yet - Bengaluru's Sunil Chhetri
Bengaluru FC beat NorthEast United 2-1 at the Kanteerava Stadium on Friday night and the result took them to the top of the ISL table again as they leapfrogged FC Pune City and Chennaiyin. However, Blues skipper Sunil Chhetri is not too concerned about who else is in the top four at the moment, focusing only on getting to the semi-finals.
"We haven't thought about who our top four competitors are," Chhetri said after the game. "We just want to be in the top four.
"The dynamic of the tournament is that you have to be in the top four to reach the semi-finals so we just want to be in the top four. The more games we win the better for us.
"We're not thinking about who else is going to be there - we want to be there! So in that context; every game is very, very important and we'll try to get as many points as possible in every game.
"Once we reach the semis, then we'll see who we face."
Do Bengaluru have enough points in the bag to seal a top four spot? Coach Albert Roca had earlier said that the Blues needed to win at least three more games from the remaining six fixtures to seal a semi-final spot.
"No one knows what the magic number is. Every team is beating everyone. Generally you'd think that since NorthEast are almost at the bottom of the table that they'd be a walkover for us but they are so strong!"
Also read: NorthEast United deserved a draw against Bengaluru FC, says coach Avram Grant
With the score tied at 1-1, it was the Indian forward who scored what would eventually be the winner with a well-taken shot from a tight angle to give the home side all three points.
"They've got the form and they are a very good side. It was very, very difficult for us. So I don't think you can pinpoint who the favourites are.
"That's why this win was very important - especially because we were at home. Thank God we got the three points that we wanted."
Also read: NorthEast don't deserve to be 9th, says Bengaluru FC coach Albert Roca
Chhetri says Bose handball was unavoidable
NorthEast had equalised in the first half from a penalty that was awarded for a debatable handball when the ball struck the arm of Subhasish Bose as he made a sliding tackle. The Blues had argued with the referee and linesman claiming it was unintentional but the penalty was still awarded.
"I'll have to see it again. On first glance, the ball did touch the hand but he had no other option. He was already on the floor. But I'll have to see it again, though.
"Right now it doesn't affect us so much because we won. If we'd drawn or lost the game then we'd have been cribbing about it. But I haven't seen it again yet."