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Bengaluru FC crushed Sporting Clube de Goa 4-1 at the Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, to remain at the second position in the league table behind leaders Mohun Bagan. Joshua Walker headed the opening goal in the first half. Rino Anto scored the second one in the 50th minute. Thoi Singh made it a convincing lead in the 63rd minute and Beikhokhei Beingaicho hammered the last nail in the coffin in the 80th minute. Sporting pulled one back from John Johnson’s own goal in the 82nd minute.
Bengaluru FC had to win this contest in order to hold their second position in the league table as Royal Wahingdoh had defeated East Bengal earlier today. The game started on a positive note as both the teams attacked in full force in an end-to-end affair.
Bengaluru stave off Odafa and take lead
The away side got the first real chance of the game in the 18th minute. Sporting’s Nigerian forward, Odafa Okolie, dribbled gracefully at the edge of the box and attempted to place a shot on goal. Lalthuammawia Ralte pulled off a good save to deny the Nigerian.
The game was getting exciting as both teams were attacking with equal zeal and vigor. Bengaluru finally broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute. Eugenson Lyngdoh floated a neat and perfect cross in the penalty box which was headed home by Josh Walker.
At the stroke of half time, Odafa once again attempted a spectacular shot at the goal. This time again, Bengaluru goalkeeper Ralte denied him by pulling off an even better save.
Just after five minutes from the second half kick-off, Rino Anto followed a good pass from Sean Rooney inside the penalty box. Anto went ahead and completed a neat finish to increase the lead.
Bengaluru devastate struggling Sporting
Three minutes past the hour mark, Bengaluru FC again jolted the Sporting defence with the third goal. Robin attempted a shot at the goal which was poorly cleared by the Sporting Clube de Goa defenders. Thoi capitalized on the situation and scored.
Beikhokhei scored the penultimate goal for Bengaluru in the 80th minute. CK Vineeth went past a Sporting defender and created a wonderful pass for Beikhokhei who calmly found the back of the net.
Vineeth could have scored a fifth goal from a counter-attack immediately after Beikho’s finish but Ravi Kumar somehow stopped him.
In the 82nd minute, Victorino set up a ball inside the penalty box which unintentionally headed home by Bengaluru defender John Johnson. It was nothing but a consolation goal for the devastated away side.
Sporting Clube de Goa failed to break the Bengaluru FC jinx as they struggle at the rock bottom of the league table without ?a single victory. They are facing probable relegation this time around. The home team on the other hand is still very well in the hunt for the second league title.
