Bengaluru: Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s brilliant 78th minute goal helped Bengaluru FC notch a 1-0 win over debutants Kalyani Bharat FC in an ill-tempered Hero I-League match, here Sunday.
Lyngdoh, whom the Blues signed up this season, continued his goal-scoring spree with a curving long shot over an advanced goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya as champions BFC recorded their second win in five outings while Kalyani Bharat slid to their second defeat in three matches.
Lyngdoh, the 28-year old-from Meghalaya, more than made up for the absence of regular striker Sean Rooney who was benched for the game in a move that evoked no surprise given the Aussie’s poor form.
The goal, Lyngdoh’s fourth in the tournament and sixth in as many matches, including the Federation Cup and the AFC Champions League play-off, provided some luster to an otherwise drab and physical encounter with tempers on short fuse.
There was little to enthuse about the first-half that saw both teams wasting gilt-edged scoring chances besides indulging in some crunching tackles, a couple of which certainly merited a booking.
Kalyani Bharat probably had the best of opportunities early in the half when a casual backpass by central defender Curtis Osano to goalkeeper Lalthuammawia Ralte was picked up by Lester Fernandes who advanced into the box unchallenged, but shot wide.
A relieved Blues then picked up the pace and forced a few dangerous moves one of which saw Beikhokei Beingaichcho crossing for Eugeneson Lyngdoh who was a step slow as the ball bounced in front of goalkeeper Bhattacharya and the custodian collected it in nick of time.
Thereafter, it was an up-and-down affair marked by some ugly tackles that FIFA referee Tejas Nagvenkar chose to ignore without so much as a verbal warning to the guilty.
With neither team able to make any headway, the first session ended goalless.
Kalyani Bharat did put together a few dangerous moves, but BFC’s two central defenders, John Johnson, still nursing a head injury that forced him to wear the head mask, and Osano were unbeatable on the day.
BFC’s persistence finally paid off as Lyngdoh, in a moment of inspiration, rifled a shot from about 25 yards out for the only goal of the match.
Meanwhile, Mumbai FC were unlucky to come out with just a solitary I-League point from their first home match against Sporting Clube de Goa at the refurbished Cooperage Football Stadium here Sunday evening.
Mumbai FC enjoyed domination throughout the match but were forced to share honours with the Goan club in a goalless draw.
Playing in front of 3,500 supporters, Mumbai FC took control from the opening whistle and created better chances.
Strikers Josimar da Silva from Brazil and Mohammed Rafi received good support from the midfield, which certainly missed the services of captain Climax Lawrence. However, the hosts were let down by lack of finishing.
They put a lot of pressure on the Sporting Clube defence and had three clear attempts at the rival goal inside the first 20 minutes, but without much luck.
Mumbai FC have now opened their account with one point from this draw in four games while the Goans have two from their second draw also from four matches. (IANS)
