Bengaluru re-establish themselves in Asia with a 5-3 goalfest triumph against Ayeyawadi
BENGALURU FC DELIVERED something special to their fans tonight when they beat Ayeyawadi United in a 5-3 goalfest to consolidate their AFC Cup group stage campaign, as CK Vineeth and Alwyn George emerged as the stars of the occasion.
There were new and fresh faces in action for Bengaluru FC, including AIFF Academy graduates Nishu and Daniel, as many players were rested for this weekend's match against Salgaocar. But more importantly, it was a fully Indian starting line-up that BFC fielded; something that has not been done by any Indian club in Asia in recent memory. It was not a packed Kanteerava Stadium but BFC fans were making their presence felt with their loud roars and cheers for the home side.
Going into this match having won the first leg, BFC were clear favourites and playing at their own den added to the advantage. CK Vineeth created an early chance for the BFC but it was denied by a crowd of defenders. The BFC players were seen pressing hard, being the dominating side and keeping the AUFC defenders busy.
The two players that were seen active for the away team was Chizoba and Abubakar who constantly tried for goals but was kept at bay by the BFC defenders. Some good skills displayed by Doungel which led to the first corner of the night for BFC which was very well guarded by Vanlal. Two of the busiest players in the first half was AUFC goalkeeper Vanlal and BUFC striker Vineeth, one trying to score and the other guarding his net.
AUFC lacked in keeping the possession as they were quick to lose the ball. This was one of the major reasons that BFC scored their first goal. A poor back-pass which caught Vineeth's legs and he converted it into a goal, putting the men in blue in the lead in the 20th minute. It was the second goal from the striker in this competition and sixth overall.
BFC were a young side and they were not afraid of taking any risks instead trying and giving their all to find the net. The best example was Alwyn who was the one taking the corner shots and putting Vanlal in test.
The home team had many chances which could be converted into a goal, Vanlal put his best gloves forward to keep it down to just one goal. They were put to test when AUFC came close to strike but fortunately for the blues it went above the goalpost.
BFC then got three corners in a row but failed to convert any into a goal. Just when it looked it was BFC that was in command a beautiful pass and the ball finds Chizoba who then flicks it to Thiha Zaw who shot in style into the net in the 44th minute to level the scores and opened up the match going into the second period.
Just five minutes into the second half and BFC were back in their dominating best as seen in the first half. A surging run by the BFC skipper but fails to see the net. A good ball control and turn by Len sees the shot wide away from the goal. They were plenty of unnecessary fouls given by BFC which gave an edge to the away team.
Yet again a good pace by Thoi but cannot keep it in control and loses the ball and a possible chance to score. The captain for the night was finally seen stepping up his game in second half but shooting from yards away was out of his comfort zone.
AUFC was seen showing great potential but just couldn't find the net. Later on a comedy of errors was displayed at goal by Vanlal, the hero of the match in the first half being a completely dud in the second half.
A great cross from Vishal finds Alwyn Gerorge who was seen taking the corners in first half smashing it into the net to put his team ahead in the 61st minute which gets the fans cheering even louder. Few minutes late, Len who was seen desparately wanting to find the back of the net finally does it in the 66th minute. It was a header by Vineeth and good control of the ball from Len finds himself on the scoring sheet for the night.
It looked difficult from here on for the travelling team but that was exactly when Chizoba put his team back in the match scoring the second goal for his side in the 69th minute and a well deserving goal for the man who has been giving his all for his side. Suddenly there was calm and AUFC players were getting back into the match with some good fight.
Vineeth trying to seal it off but just couldn't finish the shot well, and a few minutes later into the match Chizoba again draws back the match in the 78th minute his second goal of the night levels the scores at 3-3. A squeaky slip and miss by BFC goalkeeper allowed AUFC back in the match.
The match was taking some crazy shots and suspense as beautiful shot by substitute Beikho in the 80th minute puts BFC in the lead once again 4-3. Just when it was considered that the game was over, Alwyn George finds the net again in the 89th minute to seal the deal, scoring his second goal of the night which made the final scoresheet look like 5-3 to BFC.
The win not only brought Bengaluru's AFC Cup campaign back to life, it achieved the added goals of having important players well-rested for a final I-League title push and testing the bench strength for the upcoming Federation Cup. With 2 wins in 4 matches, Bengaluru are now placed second in the Group H table, firmly on their way to a qualification into the knockout rounds.
