Bengaluru FC defeat North Korean football club 4.25 SC by 3-0
Bengaluru FC showed absolutely no signs of rust or lack of time to prepare as Albert Roca’s side turned on the style to beat North Korean side 4.25 SC 3-0 and take a big step towards the Inter-zone final on a rain-soaked night at the Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, on Wednesday.
Goals on either side of
the break by skipper Sunil Chhetri (32nd minute, Penalty) and Udanta Singh
(51st) put the Blues 2-0 up before Lenny Rodrigues joined the party with a goal
in the 77th minute to give the Blues a massive advantage ahead of the away leg
on September 13 in Pyongyang.
Dimitar Berbatov is marquee player of Kerala Blasters
Dimitar Berbatov is marquee player of Kerala Blasters
Head Coach Albert Roca
handed debuts to five new signings with Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, Rahul Bheke,
Dimas Delgado, Erik Paartalu and Antonio Dovale all featuring in the starting
XI.
The Blues went on attack
mode right from the word go as Udanta Singh intercepted a pass in the rival
half and attempted a shot in the first minute itself which was saved by the
4.25 SC custodian. Thereafter, visitors 4.25 SC had a spell of possession where
they tried to make inroads into the Blues’ box, only to be thwarted by Roca’s
boys.
Having had half-chances
for most part of the first half, an intelligent move around the half-hour mark
opened up the rival defence and handed Bengaluru their first goal. Juanan with
a long diagonal ball found Harmanjot Khabra on the flank who headed it into box
for Udanta whose pace was too much for the rival keeper to handle as he brought
the youngster down. Chhetri then coolly chipped in the resultant penalty kick
for his third goal of the competition to hand the Blues a 1-0 lead.
Bengaluru continued to
push up and almost doubled their lead three minutes from the break. Chhetri
timed his run to perfection to beat the offside trap on a lobbed pass inside
the box. The skipper controlled the ball and tried to chip an onrushing keeper
who got a deft touch to divert it for a corner. The half ended with Bengaluru
firmly in charge and a goal up.
The Blues got off to the
perfect start in the second half doubling their lead six minutes in. Udanta,
once again, intelligently intercepted a pass on the right before running solo
and making no mistake to slot home past Ri Kang in the rival goal.
The visitors created a
few chances of their own, but the Blues’ backline led by ’keeper Gurpreet held
firm under the torrential downpour. Midway through the half, Lenny Rodrigues
almost pulled off a blinder. His pile driver from 30-yards out was headed for
the roof of the goal, only for the keeper to palm it over.
With incessant rain
pouring down, both sides were finding it difficult to control the game;
however, the Blues adjusted to the water-logged pitch much better which
translated into another goal. A quick release by Dovale down the left saw
Chhetri run clear and float in a delightful cross to Lenny, who timed his run
well at the far post to slide the ball home and seal the game.
Substitute Daniel
Lalhlimpuia had a chance late on to get his name on the scoresheet, but he
somehow scuffed his shot wide from inside the box as the game ended 3-0.
