BFC FACE MOHUN BAGAN IN A HIGH VOLTAGE FEDERATION CUP SUMMIT CLASH
Cuttack: Bengaluru FC advanced to the Federation Cup final after clinching a 1-0 victory over I-League champions Aizawl FC in their semifinal clash at the Barabati Stadium here Sunday.
Cameron Watson’s eighth-minute penalty strike led Bengaluru to the final. The script for Alberto Roca’s men went right from the kick-off; courtesy the early breakthrough. In the eighth minute, Alwyn George was brought down inside the Aizawl FC box by an uncanny challenge and the referee pointed straight to the spot.
Watson stepped up and slotted the ball into the left bottom corner to give the Blues a solitary goal lead. At the back, the defensive pairing of John Johnson and Sandesh Jhingan gave the Aizawl forwards a torrid time. In the 12th minute, Kamo was found in the Bengaluru box, but a sweetly timed John Johnson tackle robbed him of possession before he could shoot the ball.
Playing on the counter, the Blues, in the 21st minute, came close to doubling their lead after Eugeneson Lyngdoh released CV Vineeth onto goal with a through ball. The latter’s shot, however, was met with Kingsley Eze’s hurling body before Vineeth passed it for an onrushing Alwyn George to capitalise. But George shot the ball over the bar.
On the other end, Aizawl FC were handed a golden opportunity to equalise after Kamo was found on the far post by a delicious Lalram Chullova cross. The Ivorian, however, could not make clean contact with the ball and headed it wide of goal.
Khalid Jamil revamped his side’s tactics in the second half and Mahmoud Al-Amna who was sitting deep in the first half was given more freedom around the 18-yard box. The Syrian, however, was booked for simulation after he beat two defenders to get into the Bengaluru box but fell.
Scoring chance remained elusive for Aizawl as Bengaluru’s compact defending kept them at bay. Lalram Chullova missed from the penalty spot right at the dying embers of the match as the full-time scoreline read 1-0 in Bengaluru’s favour.
MB beat arch-rivals East Bengal in semis
Cuttack: Mohun Bagan (MB) entered the final of the Federation Cup after beating East Bengal (EB) 2-0 in the second semifinal at the Barabati Stadium here Sunday.
Darryl Duffy’s 35th-minute header and Balwant Singh’s 84th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Mohun Bagan created their first real attempt at goal in the 25th minute when a Sony Norde free-kick was parried away for a corner after Duffy was brought down. Sanjoy Sen’s men grew into the match and took the lead in the 35th minute when Darryl Duffy’s deft header off a Sony Norde cross crept into the back of the net.
East Bengal dominated possession and shots on goal, but the Red and Golds had nothing to flaunt for their prowess, while Mohun Bagan made sure that the Mariners had their finishing boots on as Bagan lead 1-0 at half-time.
Mohun Bagan’s midfield sat deep in the second half and protected the Mariner’s defence for much of the half, trying to safeguard the slender lead. The Bagan defence too became compact and proved impenetrable for the Kingfisher East Bengal duo of Plaza and Wedson. Sanjoy Sen’s men attacked the counter and Sony Norde almost came close to doubling the lead when his shot in the 60th minute flew inches near the goal.
Three minutes later, Rafique had a golden opportunity to equalise proceedings after a long ball in the box had left the Bagan defence in tandems. Rafique, however, failed to shoot the ball home.
In the 78th minute, Debjit Majumder made a reflex save to deny Plaza’s header from close range. The Mariners defence line accompanied by its custodian held on for the remainder of time and Balwant Singh doubled Bagan’s lead in the 84th minute.
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