Bengaluru FC faced no resistance from a jaded Rangdajied United FC unit and eased to a 3-0 victory in their I-League encounter here on Sunday.
In front of a 7,000-strong crowd, Bengaluru FC rode on the exploits of Englishman John Johnson to register its first professional win.
In defence, Johnson time and again took the air out of the visitor’s attacking moves, and also chipped in with a fine opening goal.
In the 32nd minute, Beikhokhei Beingaichho curled in a deep corner to Johnson at the far-post. The imposing centre-back rose well above his marker and headed the ball into goal.
The home-team looked likely to score when its wingers drove forward, and the second goal arrived in expected fashion. From the right flank, Beingaichho once again provided a pin-point cross, this time for Sean Rooney, who met the ball with his head from close range.
The momentum of the sprinting striker was enough to carry the ball home.
India international Sunil Chhetri was largely inconspicuous for the first 60 minutes, before he flicked the switch to produce a stunning goal.
The striker executed the perfect give-and-go move with Rooney, who released his captain into acres of space with a single deft touch. Chhetri had no trouble getting well inside Rangdajied’s box, and scored past the near-post.
Rangdajied United FC barely threatened the Bengaluru FC defence. The only real chance came just before the home-team scored its second, when Brazilian Edmar Figueira’s low-shot was safely stopped by custodian Pawan Kumar. The 3-0 win reflected the dominance of Bengaluru FC, which augurs well for the new club ahead of tough matches to come.
For the visitors, two defeats in two matches means the battle to avoid relegation — which its coach Santosh Kashyap admitted was the team’s primary goal — has begun rather early.
The result: Bengaluru FC 3 (John Johnson 32, Sean Rooney 56, Sunil Chhetri 67) bt Rangdajied United FC 0.
