Biswa’s Strike Not Enough As Blue Colts Bow Out On Difference In Goals Scored 

Shillong, Meghalaya: Bengaluru FC U18 finished their campaign on a high with a 1-0 win over Bhaichung Bhutia Football Schools in a third round encounter of the U18 Youth League Final Phase at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong, on Sunday. While an early strike from medio Biswa Darjee (7’) gave the Blue Colts all three points in the final game, Kerala Blasters’ 3-2 win over Pune-based DSK Shivajians in the other Group-C game meant that both the southern sides finished on seven points each with a goal difference of +2. However, it was Kerala who made it through to the semifinals having scored six goals, three more than Bengaluru after a goalless draw between the two sides in the opening round.

Needing a win in the final game, Bengaluru FC began the game on the offensive and broke the deadlock inside ten minutes. A good passage of play between midfielder Ajay Chettri and skipper Lalengzama Vangchhia saw the latter thread a neat pass through to Biswa Darjee who made no mistake in finding the target. Bengaluru continued to dominate proceedings thereafter and Lalengzama had a good chance at the half hour mark to double the advantage, but his free-kick from the left went inches wide of the upright.

While Kerala were leading DSK Shivajians in the other game at the MFA Turf, the Blue Colts needed to better the margin of the victory, and almost got the elusive second in the 65th minute. Substitute Vignesh V. who was on for Ajay, found himself clear in the box after beating the offside trap on Lalengzama’s intelligent through ball, but the midfielder was denied by the rival ’keeper in a one-on-on situation.

The Blue Colts continued to push ahead in the final quarter, but were denied by the BBFS defense on multiple occasions as the game ended 1-0.