36th Federation Cup: Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan play out 0-0 draw
Bengaluru FC played out a 0-0 draw with Mohun Bagan AC in a Group B encounter of the 36th Federation Cup at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco on Tuesday. Having only played 48 hours earlier, Bengaluru FC showed no signs of being jaded in a game that saw both teams have shots come off the post in the second half.
Ringing in just one change from the team that beat Salgaocar FC on Sunday, Bengaluru FC started with Darren Caldeira for Eugeneson Lyngdoh. Mohun Bagan, having shopped heavily this summer, chose to start with Balwant Singh and Sony Norde ahead.
However, it was Mohun Bagan's usual suspect, Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa who was orchestrating chances in the first half. He first slid Pierre Boya through who, after turning his marker in the 10th minute, shot straight at Lalthuammawia Ralte. Mohun Bagan's other chance came in added time of the first half when all Balwant Singh could do with Yusa's delicate floater was tamely head it to Ralte.
Bengaluru FC too had chances in the first half that they should have finished off. Receiving the ball on the right, Beikhokhei Beingaichho swiveled and turned before sending in a cross that beat the Mohun Bagan defence but was inches above a leaping Caldeira who had looked like nodding the Blues to a lead.
The second half saw both teams working hard to make forays but the defences at either ends refused to give too much. Bengaluru FC introduced Robin Singh for Thoi Singh on the hour mark and only five minutes later, was denied by the post. A move worked down the left ended with Sean Rooney crossing for Robin whose header from close looked to have beat Shilton Paul only for it to come off the far post.
Mohun Bagan had their own woes with the post in the 76th minute when Norde let fly a rasping strike that ricocheted off the post. With less than ten minutes to the whistle, Bengaluru came close again. C.K. Vineeth, brought on for Beingaichho, zipped down the right and cut one back. However, Rooney had taken a step too many and his attempt to drag back and flick the ball around his heel, didn't have enough on it.
Bengaluru FC have now played two games and sit atop Group B with four points. The Blues have a well-deserved two-day gap before they take on Shillong Lajong on January 2.
