I-League 2015/16: Dominant Bengaluru decimate DSK Shivajians to regain top spot

I-League 2015/16: Dominant Bengaluru decimate DSK Shivajians to regain top spot

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© Official Twitter - BFC

An all-round attacking display helped Bengaluru FC beat newcomers DSK Shivajians 4-1 at Bangalore today and bounce back from their disappointing loss to Sporting last week. With the win, BFC regain the top spot in the table just ahead of the crucial visit by defending champions Mohun Bagan over the weekend.

Starting Line-ups:

Bengaluru FC: Amrinder (GK), Rino, Johnson, Osana, Keegan, Collins, J. Hangal, Shankar, Beikho, Chhetri(C), KimDSK Shivajians FC: Subrata Paul (GK & C), Stephen, Bosco, Kuttymani, Singh, Thorat, Adnaik, Molangiri, Gurung, Pierre, Amiri

A brace from Odafa Okolie last Saturday had thrown Bengaluru’s title credentials into doubt, and a win against newcomers DSK was a must on coach Ashley Westwood’s agenda, what with defending champions Mohun Bagan scheduled to visit the city next week. The Englishman rang the changes and brought in Shankar, Hangal, Beikhokhei and Keegan for Alwyn, Vineeth, Thoi and Lalchhuan Mawia.

Midfielder Douhou Pierre had given DSK their first goal and first win of the league in the previous match, and the Derrick Pereira-coached side arrived in the garden city thinking of adding three more points to the tally against a Bengaluru side, who have been going through an indifferent form.

The match started in an eerie fashion with the home team, who are renowned for their pacy attack, taking it slow by passing the ball around. The slow pace of the game also made the crowd quiet with neither team producing any credible attack. But it all came alive in the 13th minute with skipper Sunil Chhetri curling in a free-kick from outside the box to beat Subrata Paul in the left corner.

With the goal in the bank, the home side looked more confident in attack and passed the ball much quicker through the midfield in search of another goal. And the second of the game arrived in the 32nd minute with North Korean striker Kim Song-Yong guiding the ball past Subrata Paul with a clinical header. The credit for the goal must also go to Rino Anto, who produced an inch-perfect cross to give the striker an opportunity to flick the ball inside the post.

When it was looking like Bengaluru all the way, Sampath Kuttymani raced into the box to be at the end of Douhou Pierre's cross to pull one back for the away side. A hapless Amrinder Singh in the goal could only watch the ball hitting the net as DSK found a way back into the match before the break.

However, the home side restored their two-goal lead within seven minutes into the second half with Shankar Sampingiraj slotting the ball into the net after Subrata Paul’s save from a Beikhokhei header gave the midfielder an easy chance. Any chance of a DSK comeback was put to bed in the 80th minute after substitute Seminlen Doungel chipped the ball into the net from close range to make it 4-1. With the win, Bengaluru regained the top spot in the table overtaking East Bengal. 

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