×
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

BFC ease past Sporting

Football I-League: Defending champions rout Goans 4-1 to stay in second spot
Last Updated 31 March 2015, 19:35 IST

 Bengaluru FC closed in on table-topper Mohun Bagan with a thumping 4-1 win over the struggling Sporting Clube de Goa at the Sree Kanteerarva Stadium here on Tuesday.

Joshua Walker (33rd minute), Rino Anto (51st minute), Thoi Singh (60th minute) and Beikhokhei Beingaichho (80th minute) found the back of the net for the champions, while Victorino Fernandes got one back for the visitors in the 83rd minute.

The win means Bengaluru retain the second spot with 20 points from 11 games, while the Goan side slumped to a new low as they stay rooted to the bottom of the table with five points from 11 games.

Determined to boost their chances of retaining the title, Benagluru started the game with an attacking intent. The approach could have paid dividends as early as in the 13th minute when Sunil Chhetri miscued a header after right-back Anto found the India international close to the Sporting goal.

The miss could have proved costly as Sporting came close to drawing the first blood in the 19th minute. A well worked routine between Amhmoud Al Amana and Odafa Okolie set the latter within the sight of the goal. The Nigerian, who unleashed a thunderous strike from 20 yards, had his arms over his head as Bengaluru goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte’s extending arm kept away the danger in style.

This was the closest the visitors could come to scoring and with withdrawal of their leading goal-scorer Antony Wolfe half-way into the first period, their hopes of finding a goal took a further dip.

The Mateus Costa-side faced more trouble through their lackluster defending, and it was no surprise when a defensive error paved the way for the first goal of the tie. Clemente Joseph left the referee with no choice but to blow for a free-kick as he brought down BFC skipper Chettri near the corner flag with a dangerous tackle.

The Blues made no mistake with the set-piece as Walker’s glancing header off a Eugenson Lyngdho free-kick flew into the top corner, sending a wave of cheer among the BFC faithful.

If the first one was a training ground routine, the second one was improvisation at its best. The move gathered pace as Chhetri set his strike partner Sean Rooney on a run with a delightful through ball on the right flank.

The Australian got past his man to find an unmarked Anto inside the penalty area who made no mistake in slotting home the second goal with ease.

A lively Bengaluru then went on to wrap up the proceedings in style as they overpowered a depleted Sporting side to score two more before the final whistle.

ADVERTISEMENT
(Published 31 March 2015, 19:35 IST)

Follow us on

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT