JOIN USDominant Bengaluru strike three past 4.25
One couldn’t have asked for a better atmosphere at the Sree Kanteerava stadium. A vociferous set of fans, lush green outfield and a never-ending spell of rain. All these elements combined to a nicety as Bengaluru FC registered a commanding 3-0 win over 4.25 Sports Club of North Korea in the first leg of the AFC Cup inter-zonal semifinal on Wednesday.
Sunil Chhetri (33rd minute), Udanta Singh (51st minute) and Lenny Rodrigues (78th minute) were on the score sheet for Bengaluru as the city side entertained the crowd with their pass-and-move style of play.
Coming into the tie, not many knew what to expect. A new-look Bengaluru up against an unknown side in 4.25 SC. It wasn’t easy for Bengaluru with coach Albert Roca choosing a 4-3-3 formation with new guys Erik Partalu and Dimas Delgado taking over the midfield duties while Antonio Dovale joined skipper Chhetri and Udanta Singh in the attack.
The visitors were forced to drop the top-scorer in the tournament so far, Kim Yu Song, from the starting XI, the striker hurting his back during the pre-match warm-up. However, it didn’t look like the Hwang Yong Song-coached side wasn’t affected much by the forced change and were quick to get close to scoring.
Pouncing on some shoddy defending by Nishu Kumar early on, Kim Jong Chol was quick to dart into the Bengaluru box. But his cross was dealt well by Harmanjot Khabra, the Punjab player diving in to head the ball to safety.
Minutes later, a fine passage of play from Bengaluru saw them go close to opening the scoring, this time, an Udanta dummy allowing Chhetri through on goal. But to their disappointment, the skipper was slow as the Korean goalkeeper Ri Kang rushed out to collect the ball and avert the danger.
That, however, didn’t stop Bengaluru from committing men ahead as the side soon took control of the game and dictated terms. Delgado and Partalu controlled the midfield and created fine openings for the attackers while Rodrigues retreated to add muscle to the defence.
The switch gave the Bengaluru forwards more freedom to operate and Udanta was the first to make the most of the opportunity. The 21-year-old was slow to reach a through ball but he managed to stretch out a leg and eke out a foul form the ’keeper leaving the referee with no choice than pointing to the spot. Chhetri stepped up to slot the ball in and give Bengaluru a much deserved lead going in to the break.
Returning with a similar intent, things were no different as Bengaluru continued with their high pressing game and forced the North Koreans to committing mistakes. Soon Kim Chol Bom played into the trap as a loose ball from the full-back let Udanta on a free run down the flank, the winger cutting in and side footing the ’keeper for the second goal.
Later, though a continuous shower slowed the game, Bengaluru weren’t affected much and Rodrigues made that clear with a powerful volley from outside the penalty area to put the game to bed.