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Two Indian clubs faced off against each other in the AFC Cup group stage as former I-League champions Aizawl FC hosted last year's Federation Cup champions at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium in Guwahati, Assam.
The two sides had played one match in the continental competition having varied fortunes. Bengaluru FC had beaten Abahani Dhaka at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru with a 1-0 win owing to a goal by Daniel Lahlimpuia. Meanwhile, Aizawl FC had been defeated by Maldivian champions New Radiant SC with a 3-1 score away in Male.
Aizawl FC began the game with an early goal after a defensive lapse as Dodoz got the goal for the North Eastern side. Bengaluru FC persisted on to keep their attack up and were rewarded with a penalty at the end of the first half as Segovia got the sides level. Rahul Bheke and Daniel Lahlimpuia added two more in the second half of the match as Bengaluru won their second game in the AFC Cup Group stage.
#1 Dodoz strikes early to give Aizawl the lead
Bengaluru FC began the game with control of the possession and even made initial in-roads into the Aizawl box but had no success against the defence.
Aizawl FC managed to open the scoring in the fifth minute of the match when a through-ball by Masih Saighani was not dealt well by the Bengaluru defence. BFC keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte rushed off his line to make the clearance but there was confusion at the back and Juanan's tackle led the ball being ricocheted off Dodoz into the goal for the early goal.
#2 Aizawl defence played in a very organized manner
Santosh Kashyap lined up his side with three men at the back, similar to Roca's Bengaluru and that decision proved to be a big factor in keeping the Bengaluru attack quiet.
Aizawl FC's Hmingthan Mawia, Lalchhuanawma Varte and Lalrosanga were the three defenders at the back and played a very close, compact game to restrict the Bengaluru side. They went for all the balls that were put inside the box by the Bengaluru midfielders and made a lot of crucial interceptions.
They kept the BFC attackers Semboi and Segovia in check and did not allow them any space in the box. This organized approach by Kashyap's men was critical at the back as they held the Bengaluru side.
#3 Daniel Segovia scores from the spot to make it 1-1
Aizawl FC were playing a very tight game at the back and did not allow Bengaluru clear chances at the goal.
Bengaluru FC kept searching for openings at the back and won a lot of corners in the first half. One such corner towards the end of the first half was floated across the box by Victor Perez and Aussie midfielder Erik Paartalu rose the highest to reach it. The header from the big man struck the outstretched hand of Aizawl FC striker Leonce Dodoz and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot.
Daniel Segovia stepped up to take the spot-kick and was successful in converting it beating the keeper Avilash Paul and making it all square in the contest. The first half of the match ended with a 1-1 scoreline.
#4 Segovia fails to hit the target with his second penalty
Bengaluru FC started the second half in pretty much the similar fashion as the first, controlling the tempo of the game. They kept attacking the resilient Aizawl FC defence and their persistence led to another golden opportunity when they won their second penalty of the match.
Subhashish Bose latched onto a ball controlled by Victor Perez at the top of the box and made his way into the box. He was brought down by Laldinliana and the ref awarded Bengaluru the spot-kick just five minutes into the second half.
Daniel Segovia stepped up again to take it but his time missed the target as the ball hit the post and went out of the bounds. He had beaten the Aizawl FC keeper, who guessed the wrong side but the post came in the way for the Spanish striker.
#5 Rahul Bheke and Daniel Lahlimpuia seal the win for Bengaluru
The Blues recovered well from the disappointment of the penalty miss as they kept the attack going, on the Aizawl goal. They succeeded in taking the lead when a quickly-taken free kick by Victor Perez was crossed in by Alwyn George. Rahul Bheke managed to get his head onto the dangerous cross into the box and beat the keeper from close range.
Daniel Lahlimpuia had come on at the hour mark to replace Semboi in the attack. He got his name on the scoresheet in the 77th minute when he latched on to a pass by Subhashish Bose from the left flank. The striker finished low to the left side of the goal beating Paul who dived but was unable to keep the effort out.
