Bengaluru FC thrash Salgaocar 3-1 to march ahead in I-League title race

Bengaluru FC move to top of the table 

Bengaluru FC defeated Salgaocar 3-1 at their home ground to move up to the top of the table with a convincing 3 points lead over Mohun Bagan. Thoi Singh scored the opening goal of the match for the home side in 26th minute. Daryl Duffy pulled one back in the 71st minute, but Eugeneson Lyngdoh restored the lead withing two minutes. Curtis Osano scored the final goal in the 80th minute to secure three points for Bengaluru FC.

Bengaluru gaffer Ashley Westwood made several changes in the starting lineup which went down 1-3 against Persipura Jayapura in AFC Cup. Sunil Chhetri, Sean Rooney and several other first team players came back. Derrick Perreira made a crucial change in the goalkeeping position. After a long time Karanjit Singh was inducted into the starting lineup ahead of Subrata Paul.

Both sides shared possession at the beginning of the match and were attacking equally. Salgaocar though slowly started dominating the proceedings and created several chances. But unfortunately against the run of play, Thoi Singh netted the opening goal of the match. The midfielder blasted a shot from outside the box which went passed Karanjit very easily.

Bengaluru got a much-needed confidence boost from the opening goal and looked better. They were shaping up things properly. As the first half reached its end Salgaocar started piling up pressure on the home team.

Salgaocar finally scored the equaliser in the 71st minute courtesy a brilliant header from Dary Duffy. Douhou Pierre floated a cross from the edge of the box which was comfortably headed home by the Scottish striker.

But Salgaocar’s joy was short lived as Bengaluru FC again took the lead within a couple of minutes. Eugeneson Lyngdoh this tapped in an easy goal after Salgaocar defenders failed to clear a cross from Rooney.

In the 80th minute, Kenyan defender Curtis Osano scored his maiden goal for the club from a header. Lyngdoh floated the cross this time. It was winning goal and Salgaocar never found a way back to the match.

Salgaocar remains at the bottom half of the table and have the fear of relegation while Westwood’s blue army marches ahead in the title race overtaking Mohun Bagan.