Rahul Bheke’s (in pic) 37th-minute strike proved the point of difference as Bengaluru FC qualified for the Indian Super League play-off and climbed up to third place with a 1-0 win against Chennaiyin FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Tuesday.This was the Blues’ third straight clean sheet as well with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu notching up his fiftieth in the League.Gerard Zaragoza shuffled his pack, handing starts to Gurpreet, Namgyal Bhutia, Lalremtluanga Fanai and Sivasakthi Narayanan in place of Lalthuammawia Ralte, Mohamed Salah, Pedro Capo and Sunil Chhetri.The visitors got off to a confident start, but the Blues soon started stringing purposeful passes together in midfield while utilising the pace of Ryan Williams out wide. Elsinho headed out Williams’ teasing cross for a corner, a vital early contribution with Alberto Noguera queuing up at the back post. Chennaiyin skipper Ryan Edwards denied Mendez a shot on target with a solid block.Connor Shields went on a marauding run at the other end, only to be denied by Chinglensana Singh’s interception.The Blues capitalised on their first opportunity from a free-kick, as Rahul Bheke thumped in the opening goal from Noguera’s delivery in the 37th minute.
