I-League: Bengaluru FC beat Sporting Clube de Goa 3-1
Bengaluru FC thrashed Sporting Clube de Goa 3-1 to bag crucial three points from an away encounter as Sean Rooney scored two spectacular goals in the first half to give the visitors a formidable lead. Anthony Wolfe pulled one back in the second half. Beikhokhei Beingaichho scored the third goal for his team in the dying moments of the match.
The I-League champions looked like a team who were forward for a full three points in this game after they faced an embarrassing away defeat against Mohun Bagan last weekend.
Bengaluru mounted the pressure on the home side from the very beginning. Sunil Chhetri came close to giving his team an early lead in the fourth minute. He curled a superb free-kick from outside the box. The ball unfortunately just went above the goal post.
Bengaluru maintained their domination for almost the entire half. Their pressing style finally yields them their opening goal from Sean Rooney’s foot. Shankar Sampingiraj floated a cross from the left flank. Rooney received the ball and curled a fantastic shot which found the back of the net.
Sporting Clube de Goa attacked in phases and were dependent on counter-attacks mostly. Their attacks were not fruitful as Victorino Fernandes went out of a partner quite a few times. Anthony Wolfe was introduced soon into the action in place of Sumit Passi.
The home team’s attacks started improving after Wolfe’s introduction. Ogba Kalou once came very close to scoring. Victorino generated a pass inside the penalty box towards Kalu, who was standing just six yards away from the goal. Unfortunately, the Nigerian midfielder failed to convert.
During the additional minutes of the first half, Sean Rooney completed his brace from a spectacular free-kick from almost 25 yards. The ball took a deflection of the wall and went inside through top corner.
Sporting Clube de Goa looked more spirited in the second half as they were behind by two goals. They attacked more and dominated gameplay, but failed to generate quality final moves.
Anthony Wolfe finally found one goal back in the 66th minute. Victorino assisted the ball to Wolfe who edged past John Johnson and lobbed the ball over Lalthuama Ralte. After the home side’s goal, both the teams were playing lackluster football. There was no creativity in the midfield area.
Against the run of play, Bengaluru scored their 3rd goal in the 85th minute. Robin Singh crossed from the right side. The ball took a deflection of a forthcoming Sunil Chhetri. Beikho attempted a reverse side volley and found the back of the net in an acrobatic style.
Bengaluru FC moves up the table while Sporting Clube de Goa struggle at the last position after today’s result.