Ryntih end I-League qualifying campaign with 2-0 win

Bengaluru, Oct 13: Ryntih SC notched up a 2-0 win over FC Bengaluru United to end their maiden Hero I-League Qualifiers campaign on a positive note here on Wednesday.
Hosts FC Bengaluru United, who were in a must-win situation to have any chance of progressing into the final round of the Qualifiers, were outplayed by the Shillong unit.
Sheen Stevenson and Carlos Challam got their names on the score sheet for Ryntih SC. In the first minute, Kinshuk Debnath fouled Chesterpoul Lyngdoh close to the box.
Sheen Stevenson’s free-kick swung in dangerously, but was fisted away by Bengaluru United goalkeeper Srijith, who replaced regular first-choice custodian Kunzang Bhutia for the match.
FC Bengaluru created several chances in the first half through Slovenian Luka Majcen, Ronaldo Oliveira and Denil Rebello but all attempts proved unlucky.
The first goal of the game came in the 29th minute for Ryntih SC, scored by the mercurial Sheen Stevenson.
Stevenson received a pass from Allen Lyngdoh, and found himself in acres of space inside the box. Stevenson made the most of the space and time afforded to him to send a carefully placed curling shot into the back of the Bengaluru net.
Ryntih SC were denied a second goal in the 39th minute as Kynsailang Khongsit blocked Chesterpaul Lyngdoh’s shot off the goal line after a mix-up in the back for FC Bengaluru.
Bengaluru United made a change in the 41st minute, replacing Luka Majcen for Subhash Singh, leading to an all-Indian lineup on the field but Bengaluru side went into halftime trailing 1-0.
Ryntih SC doubled their advantage in the 77th minute through substitute Carlos Challam. Ryntih’s number 10 Chesterpoul Lyngdoh took a free-kick after a foul against Sheen Stevenson, with his powerful effort rebounding and finding Carlos Challam, who made no mistake with the finish. (Agencies)