Sridarth bags Brace As Naushad Moosa’s Boys Go One Step Closer To Qualification

Chennai: Bengaluru FC took their unbeaten run to ten games after registering a comfortable 4-1 win over FC Madras in the Hero Elite League at the FC Madras Arena, in Chennai, on Monday. A goal in each half from striker Sridarth Nongmeikapam (39’, 49’) and strikes from skipper Bekey Oram (12’) and substitute Gunendro Meitei (89’) handed the Blue Colts their ninth win of the campaign. Rahees Ali (72’) scored the solitary goal for the hosts in the second half.

The win kept Naushad Moosa’s boys atop the standings in the Chennai-Bengaluru Group as they took their tally to 28 points from ten games. The Colts are just a win away from sealing the top spot and direct qualification to the final phase.

Heading into their tenth game of the campaign, Bengaluru began brightly after skipper Bekey opened scoring in the 12th minute. The midfielder found himself in space in the box for an easy finish after some good work by Shighil NS and Jagdeep Singh on the right. Sridarth then made it 2-0 from close range, capitalizing on a weak clearance by rival custodian Muhammed Adil who failed to clear Akashdeep Singh’s ball to safety.

Sridarth got his second soon after the break, as the striker turned home a perfect through ball by Akashdeep into the area. At the other end, the hosts reduced the deficit in the 72nd minute when Rahees Ali intercepted a back pass from Bekey to ’keeper Dipesh Chauhan. The FC Madras attacker’s first shot was saved by Dipesh, but he managed to score on the rebound to make it 3-1.

Substitute Gunendro then restored the three-goal lead with a late goal as the Blue Colts sealed their ninth win of the zonal phase.

Bengaluru FC now host Ozone FC at the Bengaluru Football Stadium in their penultimate game on February 8.