Lalthangliana, Akashdeep Bag Braces As Blue Colts Stay Atop Chennai-Bengaluru Group

Sriperumbudur: Bengaluru FC came out on top in a seven-goal thriller registering a 5-2 win over Raman Vijayan Soccer School in a Hero Elite League encounter at the MIRS School Ground in Sriperumbudur, on Friday.

Despite a delayed start to the game, there was no lack of action with Kamalesh P (15’) giving the hosts the lead before Lalthangliana’s double (20’, 26’) putting the Blue Colts ahead. Skipper Siva Sakthi N (45’) levelled scores going into the breather before a second-half brace from Akashdeep Singh (54’, 62’) and a set-piece goal from Jagdeep Singh (90’) late on handed Bengaluru FC their seventh win of the campaign.

The three points earned took their tally to 22 points from eight games as they maintain their position on the top of the Chennai-Bengaluru Group standings.

In what turned out to be a high-intensity game, it was RVSS who took the lead in the 15th minute when midfielder Kamalesh P unleashed a powerful left footer from distance to find the top-corner leaving Dipesh Chauhan in the BFC goal helpless. Bengaluru bounced back at the other end when Lalthangliana equalized in the 20th minute. Striker Sridarth Nongmeikapam cut in from the left going past two rival defenders before finding Bekey Oram in the box. The midfielder’s attempt was saved by rival custodian Sherif Mohammed but the stray ball fell for Lalthangliana who tapped in from close range.

Six minutes later, the Colts took the lead as once again Sridarth set on a solo run down the left; and this time his cross was slotted home first time by Lalthangliana. While Bengaluru dominated play, the hosts managed to pull level in the final minute of the half when skipper Siva Sakthi N capitalized on a defensive error in the BFC box to make it 2-2.

The Blues began the second half with intent and scored twice in quick succession. Akashdeep Singh gave Bengaluru the lead for the second time in the game, when he fired home Emanuel L’s perfect defence-splitting pass in from the left. Six minutes later, Akashdeep got his second and Bengaluru’s fourth as he rounded off the rival goalkeeper and scored after controlling Bekey’s neatly chipped through ball down the middle.

Naushad Moosa’s boys then sealed the win in typical BFC fashion with a set-piece in the final minute of the game. Defender L. Johnson Singh curled in a freekick from the right flank just on the edge of the box to find Jagdeep Singh who flicked it in at the far post.

Bengaluru FC now host Boca Juniors Football School at the Bengaluru Football Stadium, on January 29.