Champs again
Bengaluru FC had two goals coming into the day. The first was to manage a win and thereby avoid a showdown with rivals Mohun Bagan next week and the other to claim what “is rightfully ours”.
They managed both against Salgaocar. The first for the three points that guaranteed BFC the ILeague crown and another for the 11,431passionate supporters that had picked football on a sport-filled Sunday evening.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh put them ahead in the eighth minute while 80 minutes later, Seiminlen Doungel made it 2-0 to spark off the celebrations. The victory gave BFC a cushion of five points against second-placed Bagan. With 32 points in 15 games, even if Bagan pull off a victory next week in Siliguri when the two sides meet, the 2-0 victory at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium ensured they cannot catch up.
Ten minutes later, Salgaocar’s Jackichand Singh dribbled past a couple of midfielders on the left and tested the opponent goal. Though his curling effort from 35 yards out managed to beat BFC custodian Amrinder Singh, it was inches wide of the right post.
In the 33rd minute, Manandeep Singh, who was booked four minutes earlier, had a go at the goal from outside the box.
He controlled the ball beautifully, turned around and took a shot at goal. Had Amrinder not poked it away, it would have been an outstanding equaliser.
Salgaocar, on their part, did not let BFC off the hook at any moment. They blocked, fouled, bad-mouthed and scuttled danger whenever possible. Their star defender Eder, booked for a challenge in the first quarter of the game, stalled Kim’s run on the right with an outstretched foot.
The Brazilian defender was however lucky not to see a second yellow for the harsh tackle. The visitors’ coach Santosh Kashyap understandably brought in Augustin Fernandes in his place to ensure Salgaocar did not lose a man.
With spectators on the edge of their seats, BFC finally closed out the match two minutes before the final whistle. Skipper Sunil Chhetri, making a swift run on the left, combined with Alwyn George for a one-two.
When the striker got back the through ball, he was already past two defenders and had only the goalkeeper to beat at the left post. But he squared it to the centre to a free Doungel and the youngster had only the simplest of tap-ins to execute.
MUMBAI FC STAY ALIVE
Meanwhile, Steven Dias heroics helped Mumbai FC snatch a 2-1 win over Shillong Lajong FC in a tense encounter between two bottom placed teams at the Cooperage. The win took Mumbai FC’s points tally to 16 with one more round left. Lajong now has 15 points.
They managed both against Salgaocar. The first for the three points that guaranteed BFC the ILeague crown and another for the 11,431passionate supporters that had picked football on a sport-filled Sunday evening.
Eugeneson Lyngdoh put them ahead in the eighth minute while 80 minutes later, Seiminlen Doungel made it 2-0 to spark off the celebrations. The victory gave BFC a cushion of five points against second-placed Bagan. With 32 points in 15 games, even if Bagan pull off a victory next week in Siliguri when the two sides meet, the 2-0 victory at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium ensured they cannot catch up.
The hosts did put up a dominating show and rarely let Salgaocar scrape through. The early goal capped off a confident start for BFC. Michael Collins directed a long ball over Salgaocar defenders for Kim Song-Yong to chase. But it proved a touch too long and Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh stepped out of position to glove it away. But Salgaocar defenders were caught napping and failed to clear the loose ball. Eugeneson Lyngdoh, lurking at the right flank, pounced on it and calmly struck a flat right-footer from 25 yards out into an open goal.
Ten minutes later, Salgaocar’s Jackichand Singh dribbled past a couple of midfielders on the left and tested the opponent goal. Though his curling effort from 35 yards out managed to beat BFC custodian Amrinder Singh, it was inches wide of the right post.
In the 33rd minute, Manandeep Singh, who was booked four minutes earlier, had a go at the goal from outside the box.
He controlled the ball beautifully, turned around and took a shot at goal. Had Amrinder not poked it away, it would have been an outstanding equaliser.
Salgaocar, on their part, did not let BFC off the hook at any moment. They blocked, fouled, bad-mouthed and scuttled danger whenever possible. Their star defender Eder, booked for a challenge in the first quarter of the game, stalled Kim’s run on the right with an outstretched foot.
The Brazilian defender was however lucky not to see a second yellow for the harsh tackle. The visitors’ coach Santosh Kashyap understandably brought in Augustin Fernandes in his place to ensure Salgaocar did not lose a man.
With spectators on the edge of their seats, BFC finally closed out the match two minutes before the final whistle. Skipper Sunil Chhetri, making a swift run on the left, combined with Alwyn George for a one-two.
When the striker got back the through ball, he was already past two defenders and had only the goalkeeper to beat at the left post. But he squared it to the centre to a free Doungel and the youngster had only the simplest of tap-ins to execute.
MUMBAI FC STAY ALIVE
Meanwhile, Steven Dias heroics helped Mumbai FC snatch a 2-1 win over Shillong Lajong FC in a tense encounter between two bottom placed teams at the Cooperage. The win took Mumbai FC’s points tally to 16 with one more round left. Lajong now has 15 points.
