Bengaluru FC beat Aizawl FC 1-0 thanks to a 26th-minute header from Kenyan defender Curtis Osano in what was Aizawl’s first ever home I-League game. With the narrow win over the debutants, the 2013-14 champions earned their second successive away win for the season.
The eagerly-awaited match kicked off at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium to an enthused crowd.
Attacking start
Clad in their Red-White-Red home kit, the Aizawl side attacked early on in the match, and had a good start. In the third minute, the visitors’ custodian Lalthuammawia Ralte was called in for action but had little trouble clearing a feeble attempt from Aizawl’s strike force. Ralte’s safe pair of hands was tested once again in 16th minute when he denied Aizawl’s skipper David.
In the second half, Aizawl FC continued to attack but could only muster half chances. They had several dangerous shots but Ralte’s well-timed saves coupled with a rock-solid defence line was too big a mountain to climb for the home side. In a bid to protect their lead, Bengaluru FC mellowed down the pace of the game and shut shop. In spite of superior ball possession, Aizawl failed to convert the chances.
BFC’s coach Westwood, in the post-match press conference, said, “It was a tough game and the pitch was pretty lively. Thuama made splendid saves and he truly deserves to be the Hero of the Match today.”
Need improvement
Aizawl FC coach Manuel, on the other hand, was very happy with the boys’ performance, “I truly believe we played better football today. We had 14 corners against a side like Bengaluru FC and that speaks for itself.” Upon being further questioned, he confessed Aizawl FC need to improve in every department to catch up with other sides of Hero I-League.
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