Bengaluru enjoy a stroll

Bengaluru FC registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Abahani Dhaka in their Group E encounter of the AFC Cup here at the Sree Kanteerava stadium on Tuesday.

A thoroughly dominant Bengaluru side were led by goals from Nishu Kumar (40th minute) and Marijan Jugovic (82nd) as they maintained the top spot in the group with nine points from three games. Abahani, meanwhile, are yet to open their account.

The match against Bangladesh side was predicted to be an easy affair for Bengaluru. And the manner in which the proceedings began, one wouldn’t have thought otherwise. Playing in an attacking fashion, Bengaluru dictated play with ease as Abahani were found wanting in every aspect of the game.

The Bangladeshi outfit lacked solidity in their defence and their attackers seemed to have no intent in their moves. Bengaluru, meanwhile, were quick to pounce on any opportunity that their opponents presented.

Though Harmanjot Khabra made a mockery of a corner in the 10th minute, the Abahani defence could clear the ball only as far as Juan Gonzales. The Spaniard sent in a teasing ball from the left, but even that one went begging as Seminlen Doungel’s  diving header flew over the cross bar.

Doungel could have had another shot at the goal soon but this time the linesman had his flag raised for offside. The Manipuri was a fraction ahead of an Abahani defender when skipper Sunil Chhetri tried to find him with a juicy ball through the middle.

Complete confidence

All of this didn’t affect Bengaluru’s rhythm as last year’s finalists went about their business in a composed manner.

With close to 65 percent possession in the opening half, 13 shots at goal from inside the box and another eight from outside, Bengaluru deservedly took the lead just before the break through Nishu Kumar.

The Muzaffarnagar youngster, a full-back by nature, showed his usefulness in attack. He drove in, beat a defender and unleashed a powerful low shot to the left of Sahidul Alam in the Abahani goal to give his side the lead.

The second half too was no different as Bengaluru were once again the dominant side, bombarding the opposition with incessant waves of attack. With eight minutes left, they wrapped up game with Jugovic depositing a Eugeneson Lyngdoh cross from close range.

The Blues next face DSK Shivajians in an I-League encounter here on Saturday.