Bengaluru FC win 2-0, despite being one man down

by Nikhil Ghosh February 15, 2015

Ten men, Bengaluru FC team add 3 more points to their kitty after defeating Shillong Lajong FC 2-0 in a sixth round I-league encounter held at Kantareeva stadium on a passionate Valentine’s Day Saturday evening. Bengaluru continued with their winning streak with the help of Robin and Thoi Singh.

Bengaluru FC players looked confident in their home turf with Sunil Chhetri leading the side along with the top scorer for the team Eugeneson Lyngdoh, who had managed to score 3 goals in the past 2 matches.

Bengaluru started dominating the match from the kick off itself with short passes and building pressure on Shillong Lajong. In the 10th minute Eugeneson Lyngdoh, attempted a surprise shot at the goal off-target. Both the teams attacked each other and by the end of the first quarter Bengaluru had taken 2 corner kicks.

The pressure had an impact in the 17th minute with cross from right wing by Shankar. As Shillong Lajong defenders failed to mark Robin Sharma who then scored a header away from the goal keepers reach.

The former goalkeeper of Lajong, C Ralte currently playing for Bengaluru saved a couple of free kicks easily predicting Shillong players move way ahead, having played for the side last season.

Shillong Lajong came close to an equalizer in the 24th minute but Cornell Glenn failed to make the precious touch a chance lost which turned up to be fatal later.

The home team got reduced to 10 men in the 41st minute after a reckless tackle from Curtis Osano. Glenn the lone striker headed for the goal but was fouled by Curtis after he pulled his jersey from behind. The referee didn’t waste time and issued first red card of this season and Curtis was sent off.

2 minutes later, Sunil Chhetri tried to end his goal drought as he dribbled past the Lajong defenders and kicked it with his left foot through the goal keeper’s leg but it hit the post instead.

The second half started with major substitution by Ashley Westwood, the Bengaluru coach. He brought in Manju from the bench replacing Beikhokhei. Mistakes crept in the Bengaluru defense giving a chance for Lajong to comeback.

In the mean time, Robin Singh continued targeting the goal with renewed enthusiasm. But another Singh, Thoi Singh scored in scoring the second goal for Bengaluru FC. Again Lajong defenders failed to mark Thoi Singh and advantage was taken by him by neatly heading the ball into the bottom corner.

In the 66th minute, Vishal Kumar the defensive midfielder came in replacing Sunil Chhetri. It was evident that coach, Westwood didn’t want to concede any more goals and securing the defense.

Cornell Glen looked visibly tired as he was desperately surrounded by tall Lajong defenders who intercepted every aerial ball and Brazilian Uilliams Silva strived hard to help him out

Just 10 minutes from the final whistle, Bengaluru came up with a new tactic to hold the ball and irritate Lajong players who fell in their trap and fouled the strikers.

As the final whistle blew, Bengaluru FC clinched a 2-0 victory over Shillong Lajong which climbed up into the top 3 with ten points while Shillong Lajong in the ninth place.