Bengaluru defeats Lajong FC

Bengaluru, December 1:  Sunil Chettri guided Bengaluru FC to a 2 – 1 victory over Shillong Lajong FC during the I-League match held on Sunday. For both the teams sitting at the top half of the table, taking all three points from the game was important.

The game kicked off and Bengaluru playing in their home ground was the first to find some steady tempo. Bengaluru FC moved the ball around very well and created the first chance of the game in the opening minutes as a header from their attacker looped just over the upright of the visiting team’s goal. Lajong were slow in the start and the home team capitalized their possession in the 7 minutes when Sunil Chettri found some space and put the ball past the Lajong goalkeeper, giving his team an early lead into the game.

After conceding the goal, the Reds started to gain some momentum and rhythm to press forward for an equalizer and had a good chance with a long range effort from Uilliams that was unfortunately palmed away by the BFC keeper. Nevertheless, BFC still created more chances and were left disappointed when they missed a one on one chance with the Lajong custodian.

Minutes later, BFC hit the upright with a header but luckily for the Reds, the ball bounced down and away to safety. Lajong was not creating enough chances in the first half and seemed to be running out of ideas and were fortunate that the boys in blue were missing their chances. Around the half hour mark, Uilliams made a good run in the penalty box but BFC keeper pounced on the ball before the Brazilian could kick it forward. The home team was then awarded a penalty in the 35th Minute via a very contentious foul. Sunil Chhetri made no mistake in putting it past the Lajong keeper and therefore doubled the lead for his side.

Lajong had to regroup and minutes later, Uilliams had a golden chance of scoring for Lajong but his shot went straight into the keeper. Lajong had one more chance before the break when Cornell Glen beat three BFC players to take a shot but the ball went safely into the hands of the Bengaluru keeper.

Tuboi replaced Uilliams in the second half, which began just like the first half ended, as Cornell Glen had a chance to put the ball past the keeper but his shot went wide. With not much spark in the game, Lajong replaced Milan Singh with Zodingliana ten minutes into the second half. Lajong then started to create more chances for themselves and Boithang too made a long range effort but it did not lead to a goal.

The men in blue however were controlling the game with more possession leaving the men in red ruing their chances so far. With twenty minutes left in the game, the Reds pressed harder earning three quick corners which however did not trouble the Blues defence line.

Bangalore seemed more comfortable with the ball and it all seemed over for the visiting team until in the 81 minutes when the Reds earned a free kick at the edge of the opponent’s penalty box. Free kick specialist, Boithang took the responsibility and made no mistake in putting in into the net beautifully with his left foot.

Trailing 2-1, the reds were invigorated in the last ten minutes of the game but the blues were more composed and held off the equalizer until the final whistle, to claim victory on a well fought battle.

With this win, Bengalure FC stay top of the I-League table with 21 points and will play their next match against Churchill Brothers in Goa while Shillong Lajong FC will play fourth placed Salgaocar FC on the December 6 in Shillong.- By Our Reporter