<p>Shankar Sampingiraj scored the fastest goal in Bengaluru FC’s history, tapping home in 14 seconds, as the defending champions defeated Pune FC 2-0 at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Tuesday. <br /><br />CK Vineeth then scored the second goal a minute before half-time as the Blues rose to third in the table with 25 points, one behind Royal Wahingdoh who have played a game more. Victory on the night also marked Bengaluru’s first win in Pune in the league.<br /><br />Even before the hosts could settle down, Bengaluru took the lead in mere 14 seconds. Handed a start by the coach Ashley Westwood ahead of captain Sunil Chhetri, Vineeth wasted no time in vindicating the choice. The nippy winger charged and dispossessed Anas Edathodika before cutting the ball back for Eugenson Lyngdoh whose cross <br />Shankar met with the calmest of tap-in.<br /><br />Not satisfied with playing just a hand in Bengaluru’s opener, Vineeth went one better and scored a delightful goal a minute from half-time. Picking the ball after some smart pressing from Sean Rooney, Vineeth exchanged a quick one-two with Beikhokhei Beingaichho before smashing home past keeper Amrinder Singh.<br /><br />Lyngdoh had one of the better chances in the second half when, just a little beyond the hour mark, he ghosted through the defence lines after being slid in by Chhetri, who came in place of Rooney, but was thwarted by an onrushing Amrinder.<br /><br />The less busy of the goalkeepers on the night, Lalthuammawia Ralte was pressed into a save on 78 minutes, doing well to keep out Prakash Thorat’s shot from in the box.<br />Westwood introduced Chhetri soon into the second half as the Blues held fort with relative ease. The 30-year-old did well to set up shots for substitute Udanta Singh and <br />again for Beingaichho.<br /><br />Pune’s attempted forays into the final third were thwarted away by the defenders as the Blues held on for the 2-0 win. BFC next face Bharat FC at the same venue on Friday.<br />EB face Salgaocar.<br /><br />East Bengal will look to bounce back to winning ways when they face Salgaocar in their <br />league tie at the Salt Lake Stadium, on Wednesday.<br /><br />Mumbai FC had halted East Bengal's hat-trick of wins with a 1-1 draw in the match that saw Ranti Martins missing a penalty while Cavin Lobo's shot hit the bar. “We had a couple of good opportunities and Cavin also hit the bar. We lost the confidence after that missed penalty and we started playing some long balls... That's in the DNA and I am trying to change that,” coach Eelco Schattorie said on the eve of the match.<br /><br />The Dutchman indicated that he might bring in a fit-again Abhijit Mondal under the bar in place of Luis Barreto, while the other team would remain the same.<br /><br />In another tie, Dempo will look to stop high-flying Royal Wahingdoh's impressive run when the two teams clash in Margao, while Sporting Clube de Goa will face Mumbai FC.<br />Lack of finishing has been Dempo's main problem which saw them lose to Pune FC in their last match.<br /><br />Tolgay Ozbey, who came as a late substitute, created an impact by scoring a goal as Dempo tried hard to find the equaliser but could not succeed as the Pune scored a 2-1 win.<br /><br />The Australian is a doubtful starter but with Haroon Amiri back in the side after a one match suspension, the team will have a strengthened defence.<br /><br />On the other hand, Wahingdoh continued their impressive run ending Mohun Bagan's unbeaten streak and closing the gap at the top of the table.<br /><br />“The boys are upbeat after the win and are now looking to concentrate to win the remaining matches, let's see how far we reach,” stated Wahingdoh’s head coach Santosh Kashyap who expects the clash to be a closely fought one.<br /></p>
<p>Shankar Sampingiraj scored the fastest goal in Bengaluru FC’s history, tapping home in 14 seconds, as the defending champions defeated Pune FC 2-0 at the Balewadi Sports Complex here on Tuesday. <br /><br />CK Vineeth then scored the second goal a minute before half-time as the Blues rose to third in the table with 25 points, one behind Royal Wahingdoh who have played a game more. Victory on the night also marked Bengaluru’s first win in Pune in the league.<br /><br />Even before the hosts could settle down, Bengaluru took the lead in mere 14 seconds. Handed a start by the coach Ashley Westwood ahead of captain Sunil Chhetri, Vineeth wasted no time in vindicating the choice. The nippy winger charged and dispossessed Anas Edathodika before cutting the ball back for Eugenson Lyngdoh whose cross <br />Shankar met with the calmest of tap-in.<br /><br />Not satisfied with playing just a hand in Bengaluru’s opener, Vineeth went one better and scored a delightful goal a minute from half-time. Picking the ball after some smart pressing from Sean Rooney, Vineeth exchanged a quick one-two with Beikhokhei Beingaichho before smashing home past keeper Amrinder Singh.<br /><br />Lyngdoh had one of the better chances in the second half when, just a little beyond the hour mark, he ghosted through the defence lines after being slid in by Chhetri, who came in place of Rooney, but was thwarted by an onrushing Amrinder.<br /><br />The less busy of the goalkeepers on the night, Lalthuammawia Ralte was pressed into a save on 78 minutes, doing well to keep out Prakash Thorat’s shot from in the box.<br />Westwood introduced Chhetri soon into the second half as the Blues held fort with relative ease. The 30-year-old did well to set up shots for substitute Udanta Singh and <br />again for Beingaichho.<br /><br />Pune’s attempted forays into the final third were thwarted away by the defenders as the Blues held on for the 2-0 win. BFC next face Bharat FC at the same venue on Friday.<br />EB face Salgaocar.<br /><br />East Bengal will look to bounce back to winning ways when they face Salgaocar in their <br />league tie at the Salt Lake Stadium, on Wednesday.<br /><br />Mumbai FC had halted East Bengal's hat-trick of wins with a 1-1 draw in the match that saw Ranti Martins missing a penalty while Cavin Lobo's shot hit the bar. “We had a couple of good opportunities and Cavin also hit the bar. We lost the confidence after that missed penalty and we started playing some long balls... That's in the DNA and I am trying to change that,” coach Eelco Schattorie said on the eve of the match.<br /><br />The Dutchman indicated that he might bring in a fit-again Abhijit Mondal under the bar in place of Luis Barreto, while the other team would remain the same.<br /><br />In another tie, Dempo will look to stop high-flying Royal Wahingdoh's impressive run when the two teams clash in Margao, while Sporting Clube de Goa will face Mumbai FC.<br />Lack of finishing has been Dempo's main problem which saw them lose to Pune FC in their last match.<br /><br />Tolgay Ozbey, who came as a late substitute, created an impact by scoring a goal as Dempo tried hard to find the equaliser but could not succeed as the Pune scored a 2-1 win.<br /><br />The Australian is a doubtful starter but with Haroon Amiri back in the side after a one match suspension, the team will have a strengthened defence.<br /><br />On the other hand, Wahingdoh continued their impressive run ending Mohun Bagan's unbeaten streak and closing the gap at the top of the table.<br /><br />“The boys are upbeat after the win and are now looking to concentrate to win the remaining matches, let's see how far we reach,” stated Wahingdoh’s head coach Santosh Kashyap who expects the clash to be a closely fought one.<br /></p>