Bengaluru suffer first loss in their AFC Cup campaign, lose 0-2 to ten man Abahani away from home

THE GAME BEGAN WITH BENGALURU being in possession of the ball for a long spells. Udanta made some good runs along the flank and sending in inviting crosses but Bengaluru failed to be lethal from the chances created.

The scored stayed at 0-0 at half time thanks to some neat saves and collections amde by Abahani keeper Sohel. Bengaluru kept knocking on the home team's door but had themselves to blame for being wasteful of the opportunities.

The second half was an open game where Abahani made a few darting runs to reach the BFC box but showed lack of concentration in getting shots on target. Bengaluru used to the speed of Udanta to get a couple of crosses in the box but George put Udanta's effort to vain after he missed a near open goal. Another chance saw Chhetri doing very well to get past a crowd of players in the box and again had George miss a tap in. Daniel was also guilty on not getting his shots past the closest defender when in the box.

The second half was also a card-laden 45 minutes, with free kicks being conceded too often to interrupt the regular flow of the game. Nasir received his second yellow around 10 minutes from time and consequently a red card.

After the red, Saad came on as a substitute and would go on to score the first goal for Abahani.   A great run down the right, saw a cross that beat all players and fall to an incoming Saad, who with a low volley slotted in the goal sending the home fans in frenzy. The right flank of Abahani was active for all game and was the assist that got in the first goal.

The second goal was the brilliance and quick-thinking of Miya who was also fantastic for the home team in the entire game. Bengaluru FC has pushed all players forward and Abahani burst into a counter-attack with Miya on the ball.  He got past a BFC player near the half line and saw Arminder way off his line and lobbed to ball from the center circle in the BFC half from almost 45-50 yards from goal. That sealed the game for Abahani who get the first points and Bengaluru lose their first of the campaign.

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