AFC Cup semis: Blues hold JDT 1-1 after Eugeneson wonder strike


Blues come home with an important away goal advantage Pic courtesy: Bengaluru FC
Eugeneson Lyngdoh with a superb left foot strike gets Blues on level terms after Pereyra Diaz gave JDT the opener.
The Blues fielded Indian forwards C.K. Vineeth and team captain Sunil Chhetri along with all four of their foreign players at the start of the match while Salam Ranjan Singh started in place of Nishu Kumar. JDT on the other hand began their match with all four of their foreign players and key players with just Azrif Nasrulhaq coming at the right back position in place of S. Kunalan.
Blues started confidently foraying into their opponents half repeatedly; a fifth minute corner resulted in johnson’s flick just sailing over the bar. The first 20 minutes was clearly dominated by the away team as JDT were not able to register any significant chances.
In the 21st minute, a dangerous cross from the right by Azammuddin Akil was headed away from the Bengaluru box, and the ball fell into the path of Diaz, who wasted the opportunity hitting the ball wide of target. Pressure seemed to build up on JDT coach as in the 25th minute; he was warned by the referee for stepping outside the bounds of his technical area.
A golden opportunity in the 27th minute for JDT was denied by the bengaluru Custodian after Juan Martin Lucero’s pinpoint header was well palmed away for corner by Amrinder Singh. Soon, Marcos Antonio went into the referee’s book for a foul on Rino.
JDT slowly came into the game as Bengaluru started to misplace their passes. Minutes before the break, Lucero missed two back-to-back chances, after receiving a well-weighted through pass by Diaz. In the dying seconds of first half injury time, Salam Ranjan Singh was then booked for a foul on Diaz. The resulting free kick was easily kept away and fell into feet of Sunil Chhetri, whose counter attack run was denied by the whistle. Blues players seemed agitated with the decision as an opportunity was missed to go forward.
Second half resumed with the first chance coming to JDT, after Diaz was released by Hariss’s through pass with only the keeper to beat only for his attempt to be weak and too close to Amrinder. Minutes later, Chhetri tried a shot from the edge of the box but it went straight to Izham.
In the 52nd minute JDT finally got the breakthrough, when a poor marking from blues defence allowed Diaz to head home a Safiq Rahim corner. Diaz was soon booked for a clumsy challenge on Blues defender Juanan, who was also booked for his reaction.
With a goal down, Blues once again started to attack and in the 55th minute, Eugeneson Lyngdoh struck a wonderful shot with his left foot from outside the box that easily beat the keeper to go in the top far corner.
In the 75th minute, JDT Coach Gomez brought in veteran striker Amri Yahyah to stir things up and get back a lead, only for the striker to pick up a yellow seconds in to the game.
With an away goal advantage and the game heading for a draw, Roca seemed to look for a goal, as he had tiring Vineeth replaced with another forward Daniel Lalhlimpuia.
The game ended with 1-1 score line as neither team managed to get a breakthrough. The Defending champions now face an uphill task for the second leg, which will be played in Bengaluru on Oct. 19. Furthermore, JDT would be having a huge disadvantage of missing their strike force for second leg after both their Argentinian strike duo, Diaz and Lucero picked up yellow cards in consecutive games.
JDT : Izham Tarmizi (GK), Azammuddin Akil (Amri Yahyah 75′), Azrif Nazrulhaq, Marcos Antonio, Aidil Zafuan, Safiq Rahim (C) (Amirul Hadi Zainal 83′), Jorge Pereyra Díaz, Hariss Harun, Fazly Mazlan, Juan Martin Lucero, Azinee Taib (S. Chanturu 68′).
Bengaluru: Amrinder Singh (GK), Juan Antonio, John Johnson, Álvaro Rubio, Sunil Chhetri (C), Rino Anto, Eugeneson Lyngdoh (Beikhokhei Beingaichho 90+’), Alwyn George (Vishal Kumar 68′), Salam Ranjan Singh, Cameron Watson, C.K. Vineeth (Daniel Lalhlimpuia 77′)
JDT (Pereyez Diaz 53’) 1 – 1 Bengaluru FC (Eugeneson 57’)
Second Leg: October 19,
Kanteerva Stadium, Bengaluru, India
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers: India vs. Thailand – A Winner-Take-All Showdown!
The stage is set for a thrilling climax in Group B of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, as India’s Blue Tigresses prepare to face Thailand’s Chabakaew in a…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
The Quest for Redemption: Why Tomorrow’s India vs. Thailand clash transcends Qualification
As the clock ticks down to the monumental clash between India and Thailand in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers, the air is thick with anticipation. This isn’t just…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
Etched in History: Blue Tigresses Break the Hex, Qualify for AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026!
When the final whistle pierced the air at the 700th Anniversary of Chiang Mai Stadium, it wasn’t just a sound; it was the echo of history being rewritten. Tears streamed…
East Bengal to play Bangalore’s South United in opener as 134th IndianOil Durand Cup fixtures and groups announced
The 134th edition of the IndianOil Durand Cup, will kick off on July 23rd, 2025, with Emami East Bengal FC facing Bengaluru-based South United FC (SUFC) at the iconic Vivekananda…
Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
FIFA Women’s World Cup the next mountain to climb for the Blue Tigresses
It’s been four days since India’s historic qualification for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026. But the dust from the celebrations isn’t settling anytime soon, and the women’s football…
Hon. President of India Flags Off 134th Durand Cup Trophies in a Grand Ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhawan
New Delhi, July 4, 2025: In a moment steeped in legacy and national pride, the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, today flagged off the three iconic Durand Cup…
AFC Women’s Asian Cup / AIFF / Indian Women’s Football Team / Women Football
AIFF announces reward for fantastic Blue Tigresses
AIFF has announced a reward of USD 50,000 for the Senior Indian Women’s National Team following their outstanding performance in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Qualifiers held in Thailand. The…
Maharashtra Oranje FC’s Academy Division, SFL Oranje Academy, announces Trials for 2025-26 season across multiple age groups
Mumbai, Maharashtra – Maharashtra Oranje FC, a prominent name in Mumbai’s football circuit, is set to hold extensive trials for the upcoming 2025-26 season through its academy division, SFL Oranje…
SSE BFC offering girls football trials in Mumbai for U14 & U17 Teams
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-serving academies, is a trusted name and has positively contributed to shaping the local football community for thousands of kids since 2010. SSE Soccer…
SSE BFC Soccer Schools Announces Open Trials for 2025-26 Season in Mumbai
SSE Soccer Schools, one of Mumbai’s longest-standing football academies, has announced open trials for its 2025-26 SSE BFC Soccer Schools program in partnership with Indian Super League club Bengaluru FC….
South United FC Announces Trials in Pune for their Residential Academy in Bangalore
South United Football Club has announced its next set of trials for its new Residential Academy, which will be held in Pune. The trials will take place at the Club’s…
Corporate Football / MFA Elite Corporate League / Trials
Bank of India announces open trial for Mumbai Corporate League Campaign
Bank of India is set to make its mark in the Mumbai Corporate League and is looking for exceptional football talent to bolster its squad. The trial is scheduled for…
India Khelo Football Workshop returns to Mumbai for its 4th Season
The Indian Khelo Football (IKF) Workshop returns to Mumbai this September, bringing with it an exceptional platform for aspiring footballers to showcase their skills and seize opportunities that could transform…
MFA / Mumbai Super League / Trials
Somaiya FC announces trials for the upcoming 2024-25 Season
Somaiya FC, having secured a commendable 5th position in the MFA Super Division last season, has announced open trials as they gear up for upcoming season. The team, known for…
VR Academy to conduct trials for 2024-25 Season
Mumbai based VR Academy has announced trials for the upcoming 2024-25 season. The club is looking for talented young players to join our esteemed academy and participate in various competitive…
MH ORANJE FC U-17 Trials for the Upcoming Season
With a proud legacy of nurturing talent and achieving excellence, Maharashtra Oranje FC has recently made waves with appearances in I-League 2, securing a remarkable runner-up position in the fiercely…
Football School of India announce trials for Young Talents
Football School of India (FSI) has announced trials for young football enthusiasts in the upcoming week of June. A golden opportunity for aspiring players to showcase their talents and potentially…