Match Report- Bengaluru FC vs Shillong Lajong FC
Shillong
Bengaluru FC beat Shillong Lajong FC by 3-2 in today’s Hero Federation Cup goup B Clash in Cuttack. Bengaluru’s goal came through Udanta, Eugeneson and an unfortunate own goal by Aiborlang. Yuta Kinowaki and Samuel Lalmuanpuia were on the scoresheet for Lajong.
It was a quick start to the match as Lajong earned a shot at goal and Bengaluru earned a corner within the first minute of Kick Off.
Bengaluru FC was the more dominating side in today’s game and had majority the ball possession. Bengaluru could have taken the lead in the 33rd minute after Udanta found himself one on one against Vishal Kaith but the formers shot went wide. The Blues’ dominance in the game paid off when they took the lead in the 35th Minute after Udanta’s shot deflected off a defender and went past the keeper. The first half was poor for Lajong with hardly any chance created in front of goal and lacked ideas going forward.
At the start of the second half, Lajong replaced Alen Deory and Bipin Singh with Fabio Pena and Samuel Lalmuanpuia. Bengaluru however continued their fine form when the doubled the lead in the 46th minute courtesy a headed goal by Eugeneson Lyngdoh.
As the game wore on, Lajong showed some glimpse of attack with the forward line finding some rhythm in attack. Lajong had a chance to get back in the game when Sandesh Jhinghan handled the ball inside the box from a corner and the referee awarded a penalty. However, Dipanda Dicka failed to score from the spot and hits the ball way over the bar. But 2 minutes later, Samuel Lalmuanpuia finds Yuta Kinowaki from open play and the Japanese slots the ball home to reduce the deficit. It was all happening at that moment as Bengaluru regained their two goal lead in the 74th when Sunil Chettri’s cross was met by Aiborlang, but the latter’s attempt to clear the ball inadvertently went inside his own goal. It was still not over as Lajong earned another penalty when Samuel Lalmuanpuia was brought down inside the box and the youngster stepped up and converted in the 84th minute.
Shillong Lajong fought hard until the end but there was not much time left and the game ended 3-2 in favour of Bengaluru FC.
The Reds will play their next match against Mohun Bagan on 10th May at 7pm. The Match will be televised on Ten 2.
