BFC grab a 3-0 win against North Korean side April 25 SC

by Chittu Shetty August 24, 2017

In a rain filled stadium it was blues that came up triumphed over North Korean side April 25 SC, with Udanta, Chhetri and Lenny getting on the score sheet.

Pic courtesy: Bengaluru FC

In a completely rain soaked game for the new Indian Super League (ISL) side Bengaluru FC, the Federation Cup champions triumphed 3-0 over DPR Korea’s April 25 SC in the first leg of the AFC Cup Inter- Zonal Semi-Final. Sunil Chhetri opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Udanta Singh and Lenny Rodrigues added their name to the scorecard.

Blues opted for a 4-3-3 formation with Captain Sunil Chhetri leading the attack. The DPR Korean champions lined-up in a 4-5-1 system with skipper An Il Bom leading their line. The first big opening went to the visitors when Pak Myong Song got the better of Nishu Kumar on the left but instead of taking a shot on goal he went for a through to his onrushing teammate only tobe denied by a timely interception from Khabra.

April 25 players looked comfortable on the ball while blues struggled to keep possession. Lenny Rodrigues conceded a needless foul which resulted in a free-kick that was just headed over the bar by the visitors. Few minutes later, 4.25 had another free-kick from the same position which was well saved by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu.

Just when it looked as if the visitors were taking control, a long ball from Juanan was smartly headly towards the box by Khabra, Udanta making a run for it was brought down by the Korean custodian as Bengaluru won a Penalty. The cool and calm Captain produced a Panenka to put the blues into lead. Soon Chhetri had another chance to double the lead when beat the offside trap chesting down the ball with the goalkeeper having already committed to coming off his line Chhetri went for a lob which was saved off a fingertip by the Korean.

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After the break Udanta doubled the lead when he found himself with acres of space on the right, calmly finishing past the keeper with his left foot. At the other end, Kim Yu Song had a chance when his left footed effort saw the Gurpreet come up with yet another save.

As rain came down heavily the visitors found it difficult to adjust, Lenny went for a pile driver in the 69^th minute which was tipped over by the Korean custodian. As the water began logging on the ground, players found it difficult to play ‘pass-and-move’ brand of football. However, Chhetri ran away from his marker on the left and crossed for Lenny, whose sliding shot beat the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.

Daniel Lalhlimpuia who was substituted late in to the game had golden chance to make it 4-0 when in a goalmouth melee the Koreans found themselves tackling each other with goal at his mercy, the nervy striker hit his shot wide. The game ended at 3-0 as Bengaluru FC saw out the final few minutes to kick off their season on a winning note.