AFC Cup: Robin Singh goal gives Bengaluru FC 1-0 win over Warriors FC in Singapore
Bengaluru FC sealed all three points against Warriors at Singapore in a crucial AFC Cup group E tie. Robin Singh scored the all-important goal in the 76th minute to lead his team to glory. Bengaluru FC now has 9 points from 4 games and is slowly moving towards their first ever AFC Cup knock-out stage.
The match began on a slow note as both the teams were battling it out in midfield. Neither of the teams looked to threaten each other in front of the goal. The first real chance came in the 19th minute when Sunil Chhetri forwarded a ball to left back Chhuantea who floated a wonderful cross towards Robin Singh inside the penalty box. The India international attempted a volley but it went wide.
Two minutes later, Hafeez Raheem of Warriors FC attempted a cheeky shot from just outside the box, but Ralte stood firm in his position to collect it. In the 27th minute, the away side was on the verge of opening the scoring when skipper Chhetri attempted a superb shot at the goal collecting the ball from Rino Anto’s cross from the right flank. The opposing custodian pulled off a fantastic save to deny the Indian star.
10 minutes later Bengaluru FC got yet another golden opportunity to score. Chhetri was released by fellow striker Robin Singh and he made a run into the box. He was one-on-one with Daniel Ong and tried to lob the ball but once again the onrushing keeper proved instrumental and blocked his shot.
The first half could not separate the two sides, but the Indian side was definitely more dominant on the pitch. But yhey were wasteful too.
Bengaluru FC dominate second half after sluggish start
The home team began the second half proceedings on a positive note. They controlled the game in the starting minutes and were being dominant. Bengaluru FC were depending mainly on counter-attacks. Warriors even had a chance in the very first minute of the second half when a cross was not put away by two players in front of goal.
After defending for the first 10 minutes, the away side reclaimed ground and started dominating. Since the 70th minute, it was only the Indian club’s attacks which characterized the game.
In the 76th minute, Bengaluru FC were finally rewarded. Robin Singh got a ball and attempted a 25-yard long range shot towards the bottom corner of the goal. The ball went in surprising the Warriors FC custodian who had replaced Ong in the second half.
The win consolidates Bengaluru FC’s second position in the group table. Warriors, on the other hand, have been eliminated from the tournament after this defeat.