JOIN USAizawl stun champs BFC
Bengaluru FC began their Federation Cup title defence with a 2-1 defeat Aizawl FC at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, in Aizawl, on a Saturday afternoon where the Blues were felt hard done after being denied two blatant second half penalties.
The result leaves the second leg to be played in Bengaluru on May 3, evenly poised, with the Blues having taken back a vital away goal.
Earlier, Eugeneson Lyngdoh made it five goals in as many games to give Bengaluru the lead in the 15th minute only for Alfred Jaryan to capitalise on a defensive blip and level things in the 38th minute.
But a second half where Ashley Westwood’s side should have had two definite penalties, ended with an Aizawl winner in the 90th when Joel Sunday’s strike took a deflection before rolling past a wrong-footed Amrinder Singh.
Bengaluru’s opener came only after Aizawl miraculously survived a slew of attacks in the first 12 minutes. But the defence finally succumbed when Kim let Lyngdoh’s strike pass through his legs and into the goal as Poirei was left stranded. Aizawl made the most of some careless defending when Curtis Osano failed to deal with Ricky Lallawmawma’s long punt, leaving Jaryan clear on goal before his left-footed strike was beyond ’keeper Amrinder Singh.