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Double strikes from Robin Singh and Thoi Singh secured crucial three points for Bengaluru FC at home against Shillong Lajong FC. Bengaluru wins three consecutive matches to move up to the top half of the Hero I-League table.
Bengaluru FC was reduced to ten men after Kenyan defender Curtis Osano was sent off in first half. Osano had committed a foul on Cornel Glen who was proceeding towards the Bengaluru goal. Glen had no one in front of him and Osano fouled him from behind. Referee Pranjal Banerjee was correct in his decision to flash a red card.
Bengaluru played spirited football from the beginning of the match. They were playing free-flowing game and attacked from the starting. In the 5th minute mark, Beikhokhei Beingaicho crossed a brilliant floater from the right flank. Lone striker Robin Singh attempted a header but opponent custodian Rehenesh TP showed great reflex to stop the ball. Curtis Osano could have scored from the rebound but reacted slow.
From the next move Lajong got an opportunity to take an early lead. Boithang Haokip ran down the left flank and passed the ball to Seminlen Doungel who in turn laid off an assist to Cornel Glen. The Trinidad and Tobago international missed the sitter from handshaking distance.
Robin Singh broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when he scored from an opportunistic header. Young full back Shankar Sampingiraj crossed the ball from the right wing.
Bengaluru kept on pressing and were the more dominant side throughout the first half. Lajong on the other hand lost the grip in the midfield area. Also experienced forward Cornel Glen wasted a quite a few opportunities.
In the dying moments of the first half, ten men Bengaluru could have gone two goals up when Sunil Chhetri brilliantly went down the left flank with a solo run and took an attempt at the goal. Unfortunately luck did not favour the India captain and the ball hit the goal post.
Ashley Westwood understandably introduced a defender in the face of NS Manju in the second half replacing Beikho. His counterpart Thangboi Singto on the other hand fielded Brazilain striker Uilliams Silva who replaced Durga Boro.
Thangboi Singto’s obviously took an attacking approach. Glen could have equalized but his shot was thwarted by Josh Walker who tracked back well to help his defenders.
Thoi Singh scored the final goal of the game in 61st minute from Shankar Sampingiraj’s cross. It was a brilliant counter attacking move and Thoi converted a brilliant header. Thoi was later adjourned the man of the match.
Osano’s absence will surely be a big blow for Ashley Westwood in the next match against the mighty Mohun Bagan. NS Manju fill up the boots of the Kenyan defender.
