BFC too good for listless Lajong

Robin, Thoi score in hosts' 2-0 victory

Reigning champions Bengaluru FC proved too good for struggling Shillong Lajong, scoring a routine 2-0 win in their I-League round six encounter at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday.

India international Robin Singh (16th minute) and Thoi Singh (61st minute) found the back of the net for the Blues. However, the day was laced with a tinge of disappointment for the hosts after Kenyan Curtis Osano was given the marching orders minutes before the half-time for an unnecessary foul on Lajong’s Cornell Glenn.

The win took BFC to second place in the table with 10 points, while trouble continues to mount on Lajong as they find themselves in the bottom half of the table with just three points.

BFC coach Ashley Westwood rang a handful of changes to his side that took the field in their last encounter. Debutant Shankar Sampangraj and Keegan Pereira came in place of Rinto Anto and Lalchhuanmawia Fanai respectively, giving BFC more options in the attack.

There were new personnel stepping out of the other dugout too as the injured Robin Gurung made way for Seiminlen Doungel in the Lajong line-up.

Determined to revive their form at their fortress, the Blues started the game with an attacking intent and could have taken the lead as early as the fifth minute. Winger Beikhokhei Bengaicho’s corner was headed into the path of Englishman Joshua Walker who found Bengaicho on the right. The Mizoram lad made no mistake this time to find the six feet tall Robin who threw way the opportunity as he guided the ball into the safe hands of keeper Rehenesh T P.

The miss could have proved costly for the home side as Lajong came close to stamping their authority on the game with the decisive lead. The North-eastern side saw their strike force combine well as Durga Boro found Glenn in the penalty area. But, the Trinidad and Tobago international failed to find the right footing as he shot the ball into the stands.

It was not too long before the home side were paid their due for a persistent attack on the opposition goal. In a classic counter, Walker found a free Eugenson Lyngdoh who in turn set Shankar through on the right flank. The 19-year-old sent in a juicy cross for the alert Robin to head in the opener.

Though Bengaluru were later reduced to 10 men when Osano was shown a straight red for brining Glenn down, the champions were not deterred by the loss as they went on to notch up another one in the second half to put the game to bed.

This time it was the AIFF Player of the Year Sunil Chhetri who found an unmarked Thoi inside the box in the 61st minute. The Manipuri calmly headed in his third goal of the campaign as Bengaluru capped a fine day in the office.
DH News Service