Gritty BFC embrace glory

Margao, Jan 12: Bengaluru FC lifted their maiden Federation Cup title beating a 10-man Dempo SC 2-1 in the summit clash here on Sunday.

Sunil Chhetri (10th minute) and substitute Robin Singh (65th minute) scored for the winners while Tolgay Ozbey (45+4 minute) pulled one back for the home team at Nehru Stadium. This was the second major title for Bengaluru FC in their two years of existence. They have won the I-League last season.

For Dempo, who won the title in 2004, this was the fifth time that the team had failed to cross the final hurdle.

Bengaluru defender Curtis Osano was declared the Hero of the Match, while Dempo’s Romeo Fernandes, who scored four goals, was named Hero of the Tournament.

Both the teams came into this match with unbeaten records and there was not much to separate between the two teams till the hour mark.

But the complexion of the game changed after Bengaluru FC took the lead, which turned out to be the match-winner, in the 65th minute and then Dempo were reduced to 10 men three minutes later as defender Rowilson Rodrigues was shown a direct red card by referee Pratap Singh for a dangerous foul on Thoi Singh.

The match started at a slow pace but Bengaluru FC took the early lead as they earned a penalty after Dempo defender Haroon Amiri pushed Eugenseson Lyngdoh down inside the box while going for an aerial ball from a flag kick taken on the left.

Chhetri did not make any mistake from the spot, beating keeper Laxmikant Kattimani to his right to score his sixth goal of the tournament.

Dempo FC were unlucky not to earn a penalty midway in the first half as referee Pratap apparently did not see defender John Johnson elbowing Romeo Fernandes inside the Bengaluru box.

Dempo striker Tolgay Ozbey, who was equal with Chhetri on five goals coming into this match, got a chance but his effort missed the target by a whisker.

Dempo’s persistent attack finally paid off as they earned a penalty in the stoppage time of the first half. John Johnson blocked Amiri inside the box as he was running for the ball and the referee awarded the penalty. Ozbey took the penalty and sent the ball straight into the gaol as keeper Lalthuammawia Ralte went to his right.

The second half saw Bengaluru start with more authority as hey enjoyed better ball possession and took the lead in the 65th minute when Thoi Singh send a measured cross for substitute Robin Singh to nod home a powerful header past a diving Kattimani.

Dempo suffered another blow three minutes later when defender Rowilson Rodrigues was shown a red card by the referee for a dangerous foul on Thoi Singh and there was no coming back for Dempo from there.