Bengaluru:
A 10-man Bengaluru FC notched up their third successive victory, defeating Shillong Lajong FC 2-0 in a sixth round I-League match at the Kantareeva Stadium.
Robin Singh (17th minute) and Thoi Singh (60th) were the goal-scorer for Bengaluru even as Shillong drew a blank in a match that earned Bengaluru three points.
The win helped Bengaluru move up to third place with ten points while Lajong’s woes continue as they languish in ninth place with just three.
The hosts started on a positive note as after a few quick short passes, Robin earned a corner kick for his side within the first 20 seconds after his left-footed shot took a nick off a defender and went wide of the post.
In the fifth minute, Bengaluru had a chance to go ahead but Robin Singh’s free header from close range was staved off by Rehnesh TP.
The hosts missed many chances as Curtis Osano’s shot on the rebound was miscued and Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s shot was off target.
They finally broke the deadlock in the 17th minute through Robin who turned in a great cross from Shankar to give his side the lead. The visitors came close to equalising seven minutes later but Glenn couldn’t find the back of the net.
In the 41st minute, Curtis Osano pulled back Glenn as the last man as they were reduced to 10-man.
A couple of minutes later, Sunil Chhetri had a chance to extend Bengaluru’s lead but he squandered it as the hosts entered the break with a 1-0 lead.
After the breather, Robin Singh had a chance but his shot was dragged wide of the post. Bengaluru kept the pressure and successfully denied Lajong any clear opportunity.
The hosts finally sealed it with a goal against the run of play when Thoi Singh, feed by Chhetri, produced a neat header which found the bottom corner of the net as Bengaluru made it 2-0.
After that, Bengaluru defended well through the rest of the game as Lajong kept attacking.
