Bengaluru FC won the 2015/16 edition of the I-League after a convincing 2-0 win over Salgaocar FC at home. An early goal from Eugeneson Lyngdoh and a late goal from Doungel sparked off scenes off wild celebrations as Bengaluru FC cemented a second title win under Ashley Westwood in three season.
Lineups:
John Johnson came back into the fold after serving a 1-match suspension, with Ashley Westwood naming a strong lineup. Santosh Kashyap, meanwhile had a small surprise with Haokip on the bench, but named a strong lineup nevertheless
Bengaluru FC XI: Amrinder Singh (GK); Rino Anto, Johnson, Osano, Lalchuanmawia; Malsawmzuala, Collins, Lyngdoh; Udanta, Kim Song Yong, Chhetri
Salgaocar FC XI: Karanjit(GK); Reagan, Eder, Leny, Manandeep; Keenan, Jackichand, Aslon, Saran; Scott, Gilbert
First Half
The two teams came out to a massive tifo as Bengaluru FC’s famed West Block Blues unveiled a ‘Be Champions’ banner as the two sides came out.
It seemed rather prescient as BFC made a storming start, with Eugenson Lyngdoh giving the hosts a precious lead in the 8th minute. It was more of a present from Salgaocar, as keeper Karanjit Singh palmed the ball straight into the Indian midfielder’s path while clearing a long ball, and Lyngdoh calmlystoked the ball into an open net from 20 yards out.
Salgaocar were unable to put together their first meaningful attack of thegame until the 16th minute, when Jackichand waltzed past a couple of challenges and let fly with a curling shot that narrowly flew past Amrinder’s post.
BFC started to dominate proceedings, nearly doubling the lead through Eugeneson and Kim, but the Greens made a couple of last ditch tackles to clear the ball and the score to a solitary goal. Manandeep went close for the visitors with an excellent turn and chipped shot from the edge of the box on the hour mark, but Amrinder leaped to tip the ball over and make a good save.
Michael Collins and John Johnson went close as the half came to an end with the latter getting particularly close with a header from a corner, but Ashley Westwood would have been satisfied as his side went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Second Half
There was a delay in proceedings as the second half started, with one of the floodlights failing
This seemed to dampen proceedings as Bengaluru FC and Salgaocar struggled to get going in the second half. The mood was eerily quiet in the opening stages, but BFC nearly celebrated a second goal in the 58th minute as Leny almost scored an own goal.
BFC retreated deep into their half as the second stanza wore on, although Lyngdoh nearly assisted a second goal as Johnson went close from a corner in the 70th minute. The managers rung in the changes as BFC looked increasingly nervous as they held on.
The pressure valve inside the stadium was released in the 88th minute, as substitute Seiminlen Doungel gave BFC an unassailable 2-0 lead in the 88th minute. Sunil Chhetri and Alwyn George worked incredibly well down the left wing, with the BFC skipper drawing Karanjit out and sqauring for Doungel to tap into an empty net.
Saran Singh got his marching orders soon after, but BFC were in a celebratory mood as the final whistle blew to spark of scenes of wild celebration.
Bengaluru FC are 2015/16 Champions. Bravo.
