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It took a dramatic, last-minute penalty save from Pawan Kumar and some breathtaking football from Bengaluru FC to give the Blues their first away win, beating I-League leaders Salgaocar FC 2-1 in a high-voltage game where tempers flew high and fast at the Duler ground in Mapusa on Tuesday afternoon.
Coming into the game against table-toppers Salgaocar FC without an away win as yet, Bengaluru FC started Robin Singh upfront after striker Sean Rooney missed out on playing against his former club with a sore calf. Going for the jugular from the start like they always do, Bengaluru FC’s passing and movement left Salgaocar with questions to answer.
The breakthrough came in the 21st minute in wily fashion when Bengaluru FC won a corner. Always one to launch it in, Beikhokhei Beingaichho played it close to Rino Anto who in turn, set it up for John Menyongar to calmly curl home past ‘keeper Karanjit Singh. Salgaocar FC found an answer only two minutes later and in spectacular fashion. Finding space and freedom 30 yards out, Gilbert Oliveira unleashed a scorcher that beat Pawan Kumar all ends up before smashing into the top corner on the right.
The game went into half-time with Bengaluru FC prodding for the lead and began the second session in similar fashion. Sunil Chhetri came close after Robin slid one in only to see the ball needle past the skipper and the Salgaocar keeper. Chhetri was at it and in the 57th minute, began a brilliant move that gave Bengaluru FC the lead for a second time. Shrugging off from and squirming between two defenders on the left, Chhetri picked out Thoi Singh who slid one in the box for an onrushing Beikho to bundle home his first goal in the league.
Tempers began to flare when Menyongar was booked for bringing down Matthew Foschini. The Australian defender gave the midfielder a mouthful and Menyongar didn’t take kindly to it.
Bengaluru FC survived some anxious moments towards the end where Salgaocar, using the flanks more, kept sending in crosses that were either dealt with by Pawan or went a begging.
However, just as Bengaluru FC thought they had this in the bag, Salgaocar were awarded an injury-time penalty after John Johnson was claimed to have brought down Darryl Duffy. The Scottish striker stepped-up to take the kick only to see Pawan make it three out of three penalty saves in the I-League. The Blues on hung on for an important win that takes them to the top of the table along with Salgaocar FC on 18 points.
