Bengaluru demolish Shivajians

Defending champs register a commanding 7-0 victory

Defending champions Bengaluru FC ran riot against DSK Shivajians to record an emphatic 7-0 win in the I-League on Saturday.

At the Sree Kanteerava stadium, on a hot and dry evening, Bengaluru were led by goals from Sunil Chhetri (20th, 66th minutes), Alwyn George (22nd), Eugeneson Lyngdoh (25th), Seminlen Doungel (31st), CK Vineeth (78th) and Sandesh Jhingan (90th) in what was their biggest ever victory in all competitions.

The manner in which game started, it looked like Bengaluru would once again be made to toil hard. Shivajians seemed better with Shane McFaul and Juan Quero bossing the midfield while Milan Singh Lallianzuala Chhangte provided width to their attack with runs on the wings.

But that was the only time that Shivajians looked threatening. Bengaluru slowly got into their rhythm as the tie progressed and once they switched gears, the Pune side had no clue what hit them. With their seventh win, BFC stayed on fourth spot with 27 points while Shivajians are seventh with 17 points.

BFC skipper Chhetri kick-started what eventually culminated into a rout. Pouncing on a back-heel from Doungel, Chhetri skimmed past his marker to send in a well measured shot from 20 yards that beat an outstretched Soram Anganab in the Shivajians goal to give Bengaluru the lead.

The visitors were still recovering from that jolt when Lyngdoh sent in a measured pass down the left for Chhetri who cut back and laid off George who made no mistake from six yards to make it 2-0.

Three minutes later, BFC once again had the score-keepers busy, this time with a Lyngdoh strike. Chhetri turned the provider as he lined-up Lyngdoh in space. The Shillong-born player found the mark with a powerful left-footed strike that flew into the top right corner of the goal.

Joins the party

Next it was Doungel’s turn to join the party. Chhetri, once again, spotted an unmarked Doungel on the left. The striker beat his marker on the run to slot in a composed shot around Anganab to make it 4-0 for the hosts.

Going into the second half with similar intent, Bengaluru continued their good work as goals kept coming. Around the hour mark, George spotted Chhetri in an advanced position.

The skipper trapped it nicely before pushing it past Anganab for his second goal of the game.Later, Vineeth smashed in a controlled shot from distance, while Jhingan buried a Cameron Watson corner to complete was a compelling performance.