SHILLONG: Hosts Royal Wahingdoh FC suffered the first loss of the season going down 0-4 to defending champions Bengaluru FC in a Round 4 Hero I-League match at the JN Stadium here on Saturday.
It was a disappointing result for the 12,000-strong crowd that had turned out to back the Royals who had registered three back-to-back wins prior to their loss against the visitors.
It was also one of those days when lady luck did not favour the hosts who created several chances but in vain. As many as two shots from the hosts hit the cross bar denying them the opportunity to convert against the Federation Cup champions.
For Bengaluru, CK Vineeth (35th min), Eugeneson Lyngdoh (61st minute) and Thoi Singh (68th and 78th minute) were the scorers.
Earlier, Kim Yong Song was Bengaluru’s biggest threat in the first half looking dangerous as early as the 5th minute when his diving header went over the bar. In the 17th minute Kim again slammed from just outside the box but only to find the woodwork. In the meantime, Nikhil Bernard made a brilliant save to deny John Johnson a scoring opportunity.
BFC finally broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when a cross from the right saw Vineeth unmarked and he headed the ball neatly past Bernard.
Coming into the second half Kim continued in his lively manner for the hosts but with little luck.
Local lad Eugeneson Lyngdoh, recently signed by the defending champions, doubled the lead for Bengaluru on the hour mark giving another jolt to the home side. He timed his run beautifully to meet a lofted ball that he slammed into the net after going one-on-one with the goalie.
Seven minutes later, Thoi scored the first of his two goals getting the ball to come off the crossbar before going into the net. Thoi then beat the defenders for an easy tap into the net in the 78th minute.
Despite the loss, the Royals are still at the top of the table with nine points from four matches. Bengaluru, meanwhile, have moved up to the fifth spot with four points from as many matches.
Royal Wahingdoh coach Santosh Kashyap said his side’s inability to convert the scoring opportunities in the first half cost them the match.
However, Kashyap added that he was satisfied with the performance of the boys and his side would look to come back stronger in the next match.
Bengaluru coach Ashley Westwood, meanwhile, was elated with his side’s first victory.
I-LEAGUE 2014-15
Team P W L D GF GA Points
Royal Wahingdoh 4 3 1 0 5 6 9
Pune FC 3 2 0 1 9 4 7
Dempo Sports Club 3 1 0 2 3 0 5
East Bengal 2 1 0 1 2 1 4
Mohun Bagan 2 1 0 1 3 1 4
Bengaluru FC 4 1 2 1 5 4 4
Shillong Lajong FC 3 1 2 0 4 7 3
Salgaocar SC 3 0 1 2 1 2 2
Bharat FC 2 0 1 1 1 2 1
Sporting Clube De Goa 2 0 1 1 1 4 1
Mumbai FC 2 0 2 0 1 4 0