Robin Singh fired home a long-range winner a little short of fifteen minutes from time to give Bengaluru FC a 0-1 win over Warriors FC in the AFC Cup football tournament on Tuesday
Singapore: Robin Singh fired home a long-range winner a little short of fifteen minutes from time to give Bengaluru FC a 0-1 win over Warriors FC in the AFC Cup football tournament in Singapore on Tuesday.
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Bengaluru's first away win in Asia came after they endured a frustrating 75 minutes where a combination of fine goalkeeping and lackadaisical finishing meant the overwhelming domination by the visitors would count for nothing. Bengaluru FC now have nine points from 4 games and sitting second on the Group E table, are well on track to make it out of the group stages.
Westwood chose to start Sean Rooney on the bench, handing Beikhokhei Beingaichho a place on the right. But just as Bengaluru were getting more than a toe hold into the game, the gaffer was forced into a substitution after John Johnson struggled with what looked like a tight muscle. With a packed League schedule ahead, Westwood chose not to risk Johnson, replacing him with Gurtej Singh who made his Asian debut for the club.
Sensing the hosts were content to sit back and defend, Bengaluru wasted little time in chasing the goal that took a while to come. Sunil Chhetri had the best chance of the first half when he was denied by Ong from a move he began. Making a quick steal on the left, Chhetri exchanged a quick one-two with Robin Singh that found him one-on-one with Ong who charged the striker to thwart his attempt to finish.
It wouldn't be the only time Ong would deny the Blues skipper on the night. Only minutes later, Lyngdoh's tap in from close was kept away by Ong as Bengaluru went to the drawing board with everything but a goal. Bengaluru carried their frustrating run into the second half before Robin decided to put the matter to bed.
A loose goal kick by Marin Vidosevic was picked up by Lyngdoh who found Robin for a pass. Twenty-five yards away and two touches later, Robin picked Ong's left before unleashing a strike that got the Blues the points. In the other Group E game, Maziya S&RC played out a 0-0 draw away at Persipura who lead the group with 10 points. The club from Maldives is third with four points and Warriors, with four defeats from as many games, are out of contention for the knock-out stages.