BENGALURU: Bengaluru FC thrashed DSK Shivajians 4-1 at the Sree Kanterava Stadium, Bangalore. Bengaluru FC scored two goals in each half. Sunil Chhetri opened the account for them in the 12th minute, followed by Kim Song Yong who found the net on 32 minutes. Shankar Shampangiraj and Len Doungel scored one each in the second half.
Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood expressed his worry about continuing with the same set of eleven players in the pre-match press conference, especially for the matches that his team will be playing in quick succession. He drafted Siam Hanghal, Keegan Perreira, Beikhokhei from the bench. Also, Medio Shankar returned after missing out the previous game.
DSK Shivajians could only field two foreigners, coach Derrick Perrera could not get the services of Aser Pierrick Dipanda owing to his prolonged injury.
First chance for the visitors came in the 6th minute when right-half Israil Gurung got enough free space to carry the ball close to the box, however, the shot was feeble and missed the target completely.
Gurung got another chance in the 11th minute when he anticipated Osano’s through to the wing, he ran down for 10 meters only to deliver a harmless center and Amrinder had little to worry to grab it. Meanwhile, BFC looked in no hurry and concentrated on ball possession.
The host took the lead in the 12th minute via Captain Sunil Chhetri. DSK defense fouled Kim Song on the top of the box, a free kick was awarded which was converted nicely by Chhetri.
In the 28th minute, DSK Shivajians got a free-kick from an identical position but unlike Chhetri, Douhou Pierre missed the target.
DSK Shivajians' effort to come back on the game was put down by Kim Song Yong in the 32nd minute. Rino Anto came up from the flank and delivered an accurate center to unmarked Kim, the North Korean striker’s header got the ball back of the net and gave his team 2-0 lead.
DSK Shivajians pulled one back in the added time of the first half. Douhou came down the right flank following the ball, took a short center and former Bengaluru FC player Sampath Kuttymani smartly tapped the ball home.
Bengaluru FC continued putting pressure post lemon-break. The third goal for the Blues came from a lovely move from the right flank. Rino Anto put a low cross in the center, which was headed nicely by Beikho, and Shankar slotted it to triple their lead and the goal almost secured another three-pointer for the Blues.
Young Seimilen Doungel replaced ace striker Kim Song in the second half and the youngster scored his first for the Blues in the 80th minute.
Bengaluru FC, who outclassed their opponent today, could have pumped a few more in the later half, only if their strikers could convert the chances. Local hero Shankar Sampingraj was adjudged the Hero of the Match.
