The BFC U13 Boys went down to Sudeva FC in the opening game of the JSW Youth Cup, at the JSW Vidyanagar Township Football Ground, on Sunday. Second-half goals from Wahengbam Meitei (38’) and Mars Ningthoujam (58’,61’) were enough to cancel out strikes from Ishan Chatur (26’) and Aalhaad Hate (70’).
It didn't take long for the Young Blues to get into the thick of things, with Shreyas Patil orchestrating play from midfield and pushing the team forward. Sehajvir Singh had the first chance for Bengaluru when he picked up the ball right outside the 18-yard-box and took a shot on goal, but his effort was saved by the knees of Lalneithang Vaiphei just past the 20th minute.
The BFC U13 Boys finally broke the deadlock after a through ball from Sehajvir fell into the path of Ishan Chatur, who ran past his man before slotting it into the bottom corner to make it 1-0 after 26 minutes. Sudeva FC almost leveled the scores when Maibam Meitei took a shot which was comfortably met by the gloves of Dhruv Bafna.
The Young Blues kept the pressure on and controlled the game till the referee blew the whistle for the break. Sudeva was determined to level the scores and finally broke through the Bengaluru defence three minutes into the second half. An inswinging corner found an unmarked Wahengbam, who nodded it beyond Dhruv to make it 1-1.
Sudeva had the Young Blues on the ropes before taking the lead with two quickfire strikes from Mars. The forward managed two solo efforts, making his way past the BFC backline before slotting it past the `keeper from close range. Only three minutes later, the Sudeva youngster ran around Dhruv before passing it into an empty net to make it 1-3.
Aalhaad pulled one back for BFC in the last minute of the game, but it was too little too late for the Young Blues. The defender picked up on a long ball and looped it over the head of the `keeper to make it 2-3.
Bengaluru FC next face RoundGlass Punjab in the U13 JSW Youth Cup, on 19th April, at the same venue.
BFC Media Release