Parag Nets Winner In Feisty Encounter At The Bangalore Football Stadium

Bengaluru: Bengaluru FC B got off to a winning start in their Puttaiah Memorial Cup opener as they registered a 1-0 win over Jawahar Union FC in a Zone D fixture, at the Bangalore Football Stadium, on Wednesday. A second half strike from Parag Shrivas handed BFC B all three points in their Group-D opener.

Coach Naushad Moosa had his side rolled out in a 4-3-3 formation in what was his first competitive game of the season with Naorem Roshan Singh flanked by first team members Bidyananda Singh and Altamash Sayed starting up front. Ajay Chhetri in the midfield and Gursimrat Singh Gill at the back were the other first team members in the starting line-up.

While the Blue Colts dominated most of the first half, they fell short of breaking the deadlock as efforts from Altamash and Roshan came close.

The second half began with a bang for BFC B who struck the opening goal within two minutes of the restart. Parag, who started at left back was fouled inside the box as he charged ahead on the counter. As referee Maria Joseph waved play on, the Blue Colts made the most of a second chance as the Jawahar defense threw bodies on the line. Skipper Lalengzama Vangchhia’s shot was blocked and fell to Parag, who was there to divert goalward past a hapless Sunil Kumar in the Jawahar goal.

BFC B continued to push ahead and had many close chances, notably through Parag, Altamash and substitute Edmund Lalrindika but were unable to add to their tally.

There was drama late on after a rash tackle from a Jawahar player outside the BFC box sparked a fight between both sides. Gursimrat and Jawahar defender Philip Babaloa received their marching orders as both teams finished with ten men.

BFC B face FC Bangalore United on Monday, October 1 at the Bangalore Football Stadium in their final Zone D game.